ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of ultrasound debridement combined with autolytic debridement in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.MethodsA total of 60 diabetic foot ulcers patients who were diagnosed and treated in Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from April 2019 to April 2020 were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups, with 30 cases in each group. The trial group received autolytic cleansing combined with ultrasound debridement treatment, and the control group only received autolytic debridement treatment. The baseline conditions, wound treatment efficacy, number of dressing changes, length of hospital stay, treatment cost, wound healing time, wound shrinkage rate, and the time required for the wound to turn into 100% red granulation were compared between the two groups.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in gender, age, duration of diabetes or Wagner grade of diabetic foot between the two groups (P>0.05). The efficacy of wound healing in the trial group was better than that in the control group (Z=−2.146, P=0.032). The number of dressing changes [(11.76±2.23) vs. (17.34±4.43) times] and the length of stay [(18.03±3.73) vs. (25.43±4.43) d] in the trial group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The difference in treatment cost between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The wound healing time of the trial group [(48.43±18.34) vs. (65.24±19.62) d], the wound shrinkage rate [(78.35±8.34)% vs. (56.53±6.54)%] and the time required for the wound to turn into 100% red granulation [(16.34±2.42) vs. (24.55±3.23) d] were better than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). During the treatment process, no patient in the trial group had wound bleeding and had difficulty in stopping bleeding during ultrasonic debridement, and no patient had intolerable pain related to ultrasonic debridement. No patients in either group withdrew early.ConclusionsUltrasound debridement combined with autolytic debridement can effectively improve the curative effect of patients with diabetic foot ulcers and shorten the wound healing time. Therefore, it is worthy of promotion and application in the wound care of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
Objective To systematically analyze the randomized controlled trials that compare tissue-engineered skin (TES) with conventional treatment for chronic diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in terms of effectiveness and utilization.Methods We searched the electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CBMWeb, CNKI, and VIP) in order to compare the efficiency and safety between TES and conventional treatment (CT) in the patients with DFU. In addition, we manually searched reference lists from original studies and review articles.Results Seven trials were included, which were all randomized controlled trials and had a duration of DFU over 6 weeks. There were 880 participants that met inclusion criteria in all studies, and all patients underwent pre-treatment procedures and were treated by TES (human skin equivalents, living skin equivalents or bioengineered skin, such as Graftskin, Dermagraft and Graftjacket) for 12 weeks. All trials had two groups: the treatment group and the control group, but the two trials divided the treatment groups into 3 different dosages and 2 different ulcer allocation subgroups, respectively. Meta-analysis results showed significant differences in the rate of complete wound closure (Plt;0.0001, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.20) and in the occurrence of complications and severe adverse events (P=0.008, 95%CI – 0.06 to – 0.01) between TES treated patients and conventionally treated patients. Conclusion The review shows TES improves completed closure of DFU compared with CT, and it is more effective in reducing side effects.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of intensive versus routine education on diabetes mellitus for preventing diabetic foot ulcer. Methods We electronically searched CENTRAL (Issue 1, 2013), PubMed (1978-2013), EMbase (1978-2013), VIP (1989-2013) and WanFang Data (1980-2013), hand-searched correlated proceedings and retrieved the references of included studies, for the randomized controlled trials on intensive versus routine education on diabetes mellitus for preventing diabetic foot ulcer all over the world. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. Results Twelve trials involving 1 841 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer in the intensive education group was lower than the routine group, with a significant difference (RR=0.51, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.84, P=0.008); b) two groups were alike in the amputation rate, with no significant difference (OR=0.54, 95%CI 0.17 to 1.67, P=0.28); and c) the score of knowledge on diabetes mellitus was higher in the intensive education group than in the routine education group, with a significant difference (MD=7.32, 95%CI 3.57 to 11.06, P=0.000 1). Conclusion Current evidence shows that: compared with routine education, intensive education could reduce the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer effectively. However, the above conclusion should be verified by conducting more high quality studies.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of free vastus lateralis flap combined with skin grafting for repairing small- and medium-sized lacunar defects in the non-weight-bearing area of diabetic foot. Methods Between January 2022 and October 2023, 8 patients (8 feet) with small- and medium-sized lacunar defects in the non-weight-bearing area of diabetic foot were admitted. There were 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 64.3 years (range, 58-76 years). The duration of the diabetic foot ulcer ranged from 2 to 7 weeks (mean, 4.3 weeks). The wound was located between the metatarsal bones in 4 cases, on the medial side of the foot in 2 cases, on the lateral side of the foot in 1 case, and on the dorsal and lateral sides of the foot in 1 case. The length of wound was 4.0-12.0 cm, the width was 3.0-5.0 cm, and the depth was 1.2-2.0 cm. The free vastus lateralis flaps were designed to repair the wounds, and skin grafting covered the vastus lateralis flaps. The length of the vastus lateralis flap was 5.0-14.0 cm, the width was 3.5-6.0 cm, and the thickness was 1.0-1.5 cm. The donor sites of the muscle flaps were directly sutured. Results The time for vastus lateralis flaps harvested ranged from 30 to 80 minutes (mean, 55.0 minutes), and the total operation time ranged from 125 to 170 minutes (mean, 147.5 minutes). All muscle flaps and skin grafts survived successfully, and the wounds and the incisions at the donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-24 months, with an average of 12.8 months. The appearances of 3 patients who did not follow the doctor’s instructions for pressure treatment of the muscle flaps were a little bloated, and the rest had a good appearance. The texture of the muscle flaps was soft. There were linear scars at the donor sites. There was no recurrence of ulcers during follow-up. All patients could walk independently without limitation of daily activities at last follow-up. Conclusion The application of free vastus lateralis flap combined with skin grafting to repair small- and medium-sized lacunar defects in the non-weight-bearing area of diabetic foot has the advantages of simple operation and time-saving as well as small damage to the donor site, with good repair effect, especially for the elderly patients who are not suitable for prolonged anesthesia.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of microdissected thin thoracodorsal arterial perforator flap (TDAP) in repairing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with DFUs admitted between March 2020 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 5 males and 6 females, aged from 22 to 67 years, with an average of 49.3 years. There were 10 cases of type 2 diabetes and 1 case of type 1 diabetes; the duration of diabetes ranged from 3 months to 25 years (median, 8 months). The duration of DFUs ranged from 6 days to 120 months (median, 1 month). There were 6 cases of grade 3 and 5 cases of grade 4 according to Wagner classification. The tissue necrosis and purulent secretions were found in all ulcer wounds, as well as different degrees of tendon and bone exposure; skin defects ranged from 5 cm×3 cm to 17 cm×6 cm. The DFUs were repaired by microdissected thin TDAP, including 6 cases of flaps (including 1 case of lobulated flap), ranging from 10.0 cm×4.5 cm to 26.0 cm×7.0 cm; 5 cases of chimeric perforator flaps, the range of the flap was 10.0 cm×4.5 cm to 16.0 cm×5.5 cm, and the range of the muscle flap was 6 cm×2 cm to 10 cm×3 cm. The donor site was sutured directly. Results The operation time ranged from 3.42 to 11.17 hours, with an average of 5.92 hours. All 11 flaps survived and no vascular crisis occurred; 1 patient had a sinus at the edge of the flap, and the surgical area healed well after dressing change. All 11 patients were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9 months. The flap texture was good, the recipient site was in good shape, and there was no swelling; the foot contour was good, the shoes were comfortable to wear, and the movement was good. The incision at the donor site healed by first intention, leaving only linear and concealed scar, without obvious depression deformity, and the shoulder joint function was good. Conclusion On the premise of ensuring sufficient blood supply to the lower extremities and strengthening perioperative management, the microdissected thin TDAP to repair DFUs wounds can achieve better effectiveness and appearance; however, the prolonged operation time increases the probability of anesthesia and surgical risks in patients with DFUs.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of silver dressings on treating diabetic foot ulcer infection. MethodsA total of 105 patients with diabetic foot ulcers treated from May 2012 to April 2014 were randomly divided into two groups:group A and B. Patients in group A were treated with imported silver ion alginate dressing, while group B was treated with domestic nanometer silver dressing. All patients were given basic treatment, and the effect of silver dressing was evaluated by observing bacterial clearance rate and wound healing score. ResultsThere were significant improvement in bacterial clearance rate and wound healing score in both two groups after treatment. The bacterial clearance rate was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the descending trend of wound healing score in group A was significantly more obvious than group B (P<0.01). ConclusionBoth two silver dressings are effective in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer infection, but the effectiveness of silver ion alginate dressing is superior. Bacterial clearance rate and wound healing score are objective and applicable index to evaluate the treatment effects of silver dressing.
Diabetic foot ulcer is the most serious complication of diabetes. In addition to diabetic peripheral neuropathy and lower extremity vascular disease, diabetic foot pressure abnormality is an independent risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers. This review summarizes the relationship between plantar pressure and diabetes, including the concept of the plantar pressure and its measurement methods, as well as the abnormal changes in the plantar pressure of diabetic patients. In addition, through the explanation of the mechanism of diabetic patients’ plantar pressure changes, the methods of releasing the abnormal plantar pressure are discussed, so as to prevent and treat the diabetic foot ulcers, and improve our understanding of it.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the efficacy of different oxygen therapies for DFUs from inception to April 1, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Statistical analysis was performed using R software, and GraphPad Prism was used for graphical representations. ResultsA total of 61 RCTs involving 4 306 DFUs cases were included in the analysis. The oxygen therapies examined primarily included hyperbaric oxygen, topical oxygen, and ozone therapy. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy ranked highest for healing rate, area reduction rate, and healing time (SUCRA values were 0.957, 0.868, and 0.869, respectively). However, hyperbaric oxygen therapy also ranked higher for amputation rate and adverse events (SUCRA values were 0.616 and 0.718, respectively). Further subgroup analysis revealed that hyperbaric oxygen therapy maintained the highest ranking in area reduction rate across subgroups defined by publication language and treatment duration. ConclusionHyperbaric oxygen therapy has advantages in terms of healing rate, area reduction rate, and healing time for DFUs, but it is also associated with higher amputation rates and adverse events. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the severe chronic complications that lead to disability and death of diabetic patients. In order to solve this problem, adjuvant therapy studies of diabetic foot ulcers have increased in recent years. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a novel adjuvant therapy that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for diabetic foot ulcers wounds. In this paper, the mechanisms of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for diabetic foot ulcers are described, including wound angiogenesis, wound tissue blood perfusion, nerve regeneration, granulation tissue proliferation, inflammatory response, anti-infection, migration and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in clinical treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.