Treating diabetic foot syndrome at the General Surgery Clinic of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
Authors:   Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, Russian Defense Ministry, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Ivanusa S.Ya. , Risman B.V. , Yanishevsky A.V. , Shayakhmetov R.E. , Matveev I.S. 
Published: October 2021

We examined 180 patients with purulent-necrotic complications of diabetic foot syndrome, in whom the proposed diagnostic algorithm was used. Magnetic resonance imaging of the feet, ultrasound Doppler with duplex angioscanning, magnetic resonance and computed angiography of the lower extremities, as well as assessment of transcutaneous oxygen tension were performed. Surgical treatment tactics depended on the form of the diabetic foot syndrome, as well as the severity of the disease. As a local treatment, physical methods were used to accelerate the course of the wound process. The proposed diagnostic algorithm for the diagnosis and selection of surgical treatment for various forms of diabetic foot syndrome has made it possible to reduce the number of “high” amputations and maintain a supporting limb. Purpose of the study is to improve treatment outcomes for purulent-necrotic complications of diabetic foot syndrome by developing and applying a diagnostic algorithm and differentiated treatment tactics. The main group consisted of 180 patients with purulent-necrotic complications of diabetic foot syndrome, in whom the developed diagnostic algorithm and differentiated tactics of surgical treatment were used, as well as physical methods of influencing the wound process (ultrasonic cavitation and local ozonation) were used as local treatment. The control group included 40 patients with purulent-necrotic complications of diabetic foot syndrome, whose treatment involved the use of drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood and tissue microcirculation (rheopolyglucin, trental, actovegin) according to conventional schemes. Local treatment included sanitation and treatment of wound and ulcerative surfaces with antiseptic solutions and ointments, depending on the phase of the wound process. Data analysis in this group was carried out based on a retrospective study of case histories and an assessment of long-term results of treatment by follow-up examinations and telephone interviews. Control group included 25 (63%) men and 15 (37%) women; the average age was 67.3±10.3 years. The developed unified approaches in diagnosing and treating patients with purulent-necrotic complications of diabetic foot syndrome, who, in complex treatment, underwent staged necrectomy with simultaneous ultrasonic cavitation of purulent wounds and their ozonization, can reliably reduce the number of ulcer recurrences from 28% to 2.7%, high amputations by 34%, and the number of re-amputations ― 10 times. The use of minimally invasive surgical technologies for the rehabilitation of deep purulent foci of the foot, in comparison with the classical principles of treatment of purulent wounds, makes it possible to achieve a complete cleansing of wounds, preparation for plastic surgery, and an increase in the number of functional supportable lower limbs by 42.7%. According to the data obtained, it is optimal to perform sanitizing operations after revascularization of at least one artery no earlier than 3–4 days, which makes it possible to increase their efficiency and reduce the number of repeated surgical interventions. The approach to managing patients with diabetic foot syndrome at all stages of treatment and rehabilitation should be interdisciplinary and include the following specialists: endocrinologist, orthopedist, surgeon, psychologist, trained nursing staff.