Surgical management of the diabetic foot:The current evidence

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications,particularly diabetic foot pathologies,poses significant healthcare challenges and economic burdens globally.This review synthesises current evidence on the surgical management of the diabetic foot,focusing on the interplay between neuropathy,ischemia,and infection that commonly culminates in ulcers,infections,and,in severe cases,amputations.The escalating incidence of diabetes mellitus underscores the urgency for effective management strategies,as diabetic foot complications are a leading cause of hospital admissions among diabetic patients,significantly impacting morbidity and mortality rates.This review explores the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetic foot complications and further examines diabetic foot ulcers,infections,and skeletal pathologies such as Charcot arthropathy,emphasising the critical role of early diagnosis,comprehensive management strategies,and interdisciplinary care in mitigating adverse outcomes.In addressing surgical interventions,this review evaluates conservative surgeries,amputations,and reconstructive procedures,highlighting the importance of tailored approaches based on individual patient profiles and the specific characteristics of foot pathologies.The integration of advanced diagnostic tools,novel surgical techniques,and postoperative care,including offloading and infection control,are discussed in the context of optimising healing and preserving limb function.

Intravitreal conbercept injection with panretinal photocoagulation for high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy with vitreous hemorrhage

AIM:To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of combining panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)with intravitreal conbercept(IVC)injections for patients with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy(HR-PDR)complicated by mild or moderate vitreous hemorrhage(VH),with or without diabetic macular edema(DME).METHODS:Patients diagnosed with VH with/without DME secondary to HR-PDR and received PRP combined with IVC injections were recruited in this retrospective study.Upon establishing the patient’s diagnosis,an initial IVC was performed,followed by prompt administration of PRP.In cases who significant bleeding persisted and impeded the laser operation,IVC was sustained before supplementing with PRP.Following the completion of PRP,patients were meticulously monitored for a minimum of six months.Laser therapy and IVC injections were judiciously adjusted based on fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)results.Therapeutic effect and the incidence of adverse events were observed.RESULTS:Out of 42 patients(74 eyes),29 were male and 13 were female,with a mean age of 59.17±12.74y(33-84y).The diabetic history was between 1wk and 26y,and the interval between the onset of visual symptoms and diagnosis of HR-PDR was 1wk-1y.The affected eye received 2.59±1.87(1-10)IVC injections and underwent 5.5±1.02(4-8)sessions of PRP.Of these,68 eyes received PRP following 1 IVC injection,5 eyes after 2 IVC injections,and 1 eye after 3 IVC injections.Complete absorption of VH was observed in all 74 eyes 5-50wk after initial treatment,with resolution of DME in 51 eyes 3-48wk after initial treatment.A newly developed epiretinal membrane was noted in one eye.Visual acuity significantly improved in 25 eyes.No complications such as glaucoma,retinal detachment,or endophthalmitis were reported.CONCLUSION:The study suggests that the combination of PRP with IVC injections is an effective and safe modality for treating diabetic VH in patients with HR-PDR.

Prognostic Factors for Diabetic Foot at CNHU-HKM

Introduction: Predictions on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, according to the International Diabetes Federation, indicated 9.3% in 2019 and nearly 10.9% of the general population in 2045. In Benin, the increase in this prevalence, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is constantly increasing. Diabetic foot is one of its most common complications. The aim of this work was to study the prognostic factors of diabetic foot in the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou. Patients and method: This is a descriptive and analytical retrospective study of the prognostic factors of diabetic foot over a period of 3 years from January 2019 to December 2021 in patients who have been hospitalized or followed on an outpatient basis for diabetic foot in the Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition Department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou. Results: A total of 112 patients were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 59.70 ± 2.10 years. A male predominance was noted with a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.7. Mixed gangrene and phlegmons were the most common lesions. According to the classification of diabetic feet according to the University of Texas, 59.1% of patients had a 100% risk of amputation. Ten patients died from sepsis (8.9%). The average blood glucose on admission was 2.74 ± 0.23 g/l, reflecting the glycemic imbalance in these patients. There is a statistically significant association between the duration of progression of diabetes, the type of lesion and amputation. Patients whose diabetes has lasted more than 30 years and patients who are not monitored have a greater risk of death. Conclusion: Diabetic patients most often consulted at a late stage, compromising conservative treatment. The duration of diabetes and the type of lesion on admission were the main factors leading to amputation, thus compromising the functional prognosis. As for death, it was mainly linked to irregular monitoring of diabetes and the duration of diabetes. Effective prevention and management of diabetic feet requires patient education about the diabetic foot and systematic screening of at-risk feet in consultation.

Portraying Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Comparative Evaluation of Diabetic Foot Infections versus Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background: Confusion often arises in caring for diabetic foot infections and ulcers, especially with antimicrobials;we aim to shed light on this entity and alert healthcare workers to its stewardship. Methods: Records were reviewed between February 2016 and September 2023. Data for patients diagnosed with diabetes and foot ulcers, infected or not, were examined following ICD 9 search terms. Records for patients were included if they were prediabetic/diabetic adults with foot ulcers, more than 18 years old, and on antidiabetic treatment. Patients were excluded if they insulin resistant, with normal HgbA1c levels, wheel-chair dependent, bed-bound, non-diabetic patients, diabetic patients who had vascular lower limb surgery earlier to ulcers, diabetic patients who had aortocoronary bypass, deep venous thrombosis within six months, malignancy, and severe clinical depression. A modified IWGDF/IDSA guidelines definitions for DFI and DFU was considered. Statistical analysis was done using R programming. Statistical methods were employed as appropriate, and a significant P-value was considered for P Results: Most characteristics were well balanced between DFI and DFU, on imaging osteomyelitis and tissue swelling were significantly more in DFI. Endovascular radiological procedures showed angiograms to be considerably more in DFI, while angioplasty was more in DFU, in addition to smoking. Bacteremia was uncommon, and swab cultures were mostly polymicrobial in both ulcers;no clear association with blood bacteria was detected with the polymicrobial growth, though few were concordant. Antimicrobials prescribed for both ulcers were not statistically different except for carbapenems, which were more in DFI (P Conclusion: Attention should be paid to best practices while caring for diabetic ulcers. These include swab culture interpretations, the use of antimicrobials, and plan management according to DFI or DFU to utilize either local care or combination with antimicrobials.

Research progress and challenges in stem cell therapy for diabetic foot: Bibliometric analysis and perspectives

BACKGROUND Stem cell therapy has shown great potential for treating diabetic foot(DF).AIM To conduct a bibliometric analysis of studies on the use of stem cell therapy for DF over the past two decades,with the aim of depicting the current global research landscape,identifying the most influential research hotspots,and providing insights for future research directions.METHODS We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database for all relevant studies on the use of stem cell therapy in DF.Bibliometric analysis was carried out using CiteSpace,VOSviewer,and R(4.3.1)to identify the most notable studies.RESULTS A search was conducted to identify publications related to the use of stem cells for DF treatment.A total of 542 articles published from 2000 to 2023 were identified.The United States had published the most papers on this subject.In this field,Iran’s Shahid Beheshti University Medical Sciences demonstrated the highest productivity.Furthermore,Dr.Bayat from the same university has been an outstanding researcher in this field.Stem Cell Research&Therapy is the journal with the highest number of publications in this field.The main keywords were“diabetic foot ulcers,”“wound healing,”and“angiogenesis.”CONCLUSION This study systematically illustrated the advances in the use of stem cell therapy to treat DF over the past 23 years.Current research findings suggested that the hotspots in this field include stem cell dressings,exosomes,wound healing,and adipose-derived stem cells.Future research should also focus on the clinical translation of stem cell therapies for DF.

Impact of tibial transverse transport in tissue regeneration and wound healing with perspective on diabetic foot ulcers

In this editorial,we comment on an article by Liao et al published in the current issue of the World Journal of Diabetes.We focus on the clinical significance of tibial transverse transport(TTT)as an effective treatment for patients with diabetic foot ulcers(DFU).TTT has been associated with tissue regeneration,improved blood circulation,reduced amputation rates,and increased expression of early angiogenic factors.Mechanistically,TTT can influence macrophage polarization and growth factor upregulation.Despite this potential,the limitations and conflicting results of existing studies justify the need for further research into its optimal application and development.These clinical implications highlight the efficacy of TTT in recalcitrant DFU and provide lasting stimuli for tissue re-generation,and blood vessel and bone marrow improvement.Immunomodu-lation via systemic responses contributes to its therapeutic potential.Future studies should investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms to enhance our understanding and the efficacy of TTT.This manuscript emphasizes the potential of TTT in limb preservation and diabetic wound healing and suggests avenues for preventive measures against limb amputation in diabetes and peripheral artery disease.Here,we highlight the clinical significance of the TTT and its importance in healing DFU to promote the use of this technique in tissue regeneration.

Home-based Detection and Prediction of Diabetic Foot Ulcers at Early Stage Using Sensor Technology and Supervised Learning

For years,foot ulcers linked with diabetes mellitus and neuropathy have significantly impacted diabetic patients’ health-related quality of life(HRQoL). Diabetes foot ulcers impact15% of all diabetic patients at some point in their lives. The facilities and resources used for DFU detection and treatment are only available at hospitals and clinics,which results in the unavailability of feasible and timely detection at an early stage. This necessitates the development of an at-home DFU detection system that enables timely predictions and seamless communication with users,thereby preventing amputations due to neglect and severity. This paper proposes a feasible system consisting of three major modules:an IoT device that works to sense foot nodes to send vibrations onto a foot sole,a machine learning model based on supervised learning which predicts the level of severity of the DFU using four different classification techniques including XGBoost,K-SVM,Random Forest,and Decision tree,and a mobile application that acts as an interface between the sensors and the patient. Based on the severity levels,necessary steps for prevention,treatment,and medications are recommended via the application.

Prevalence and risk factors of wound complications after transtibial amputation in patients with diabetic foot

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot(DMF)complications are common and are increasing in incidence.Risk factors related to wound complications are yet to be established after transtibial amputation under the diagnosis of DMF infection.AIM To analyze the prognosis and risk factors related to wound complications after transtibial amputation in patients with diabetes.METHODS This retrospective cohort study included seventy-two patients with DMF complications who underwent transtibial amputation between April 2014 and March 2023.The groups were categorized based on the occurrence of wound complications,and we compared demographic data between the complication group and the non-complication group to analyze risk factors.Moreover,a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors.RESULTS The average follow-up period was 36.2 months.Among the 72 cases,31(43.1%)had wound complications.Of these,12 cases(16.7%)received further treatment,such as debridement,soft tissue stump revision,and re-amputation at the proximal level.In a group that required further management due to wound complications after transtibial amputation,the hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)level was 9.32,while the other group that did not require any treatment had a 7.54 HbA1c level.The prevalence of a history of kidney transplantation with wound complications after transtibial amputation surgery in DMF patients was significantly greater than in cases without wound complications(P=0.02).Other factors did not show significant differences.CONCLUSION Approximately 43.1%of the patients with transtibial amputation surgery experienced wound complications,and 16.7%required additional surgical treatment.High HbA1c levels and kidney transplant history are risk factors for postoperative wound complications.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Leukocyte-and Platelet-rich Fibrin for Diabetic Foot Ulcers:A Retrospective Study

Objective Diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)is one of the most serious complications of diabetes.Leukocyte-and platelet-rich fibrin(L-PRF)is a second-generation autologous platelet-rich plasma.This study aims to investigate the clinical effects of L-PRF in patients with diabetes in real clinical practice.Methods Patients with DFU who received L-PRF treatment and standard of care(SOC)from 2018 to 2019 in Tongji Hospital were enrolled.The clinical information including patient characteristics,wound evaluation(area,severity,infection,blood supply),SOC of DFU,and images of ulcers was retrospectively extracted and analyzed.L-PRF treatment was performed every 7±2 days until the ulcer exhibited complete epithelialization or an overall percent volume reduction(PVR)greater than 80%.Therapeutic effectiveness,including overall PVR and the overall and weekly healing rates,was evaluated.Results Totally,26 patients with DFU were enrolled,and they had an ulcer duration of 47.0(35.0,72.3)days.The severity and infection of ulcers varied,as indicated by the Site,Ischemia,Neuropathy,Bacterial Infection,and Depth(SINBAD)scores of 2–6,Wagner grades of 1–4,and the Perfusion,Extent,Depth,Infection and Sensation(PEDIS)scores of 2–4.The initial ulcer volume before L-PRF treatment was 4.94(1.50,13.83)cm3,and the final ulcer volume was 0.35(0.03,1.76)cm3.The median number of L-PRF doses was 3(2,5).A total of 11 patients achieved complete epithelialization after the fifth week of treatment,and 19 patients achieved at least an 80%volume reduction after the seventh week.The overall wound-healing rate was 1.47(0.63,3.29)cm3/week,and the healing rate was faster in the first 2 weeks than in the remaining weeks.Concurrent treatment did not change the percentage of complete epithelialization or healing rate.Conclusion Adding L-PRF to SOC significantly improved wound healing in patients with DFU independent of the ankle brachial index,SINBAD score,or Wagner grade,indicating that this method is appropriate for DFU treatment under different clinical conditions.

Adipose-derived stem cells in diabetic foot care:Bridging clinical trials and practical application

Diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs)pose a critical medical challenge,significantly impairing the quality of life of patients.Adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)have been identified as a promising therapeutic approach for improving wound healing in DFUs.Despite extensive exploration of the mechanical aspects of ADSC therapy against DFU,its clinical applications remain elusive.In this review,we aimed to bridge this gap by evaluating the use and advancements of ADSCs in the clinical management of DFUs.The review begins with a discussion of the classification and clinical management of diabetic foot conditions.It then discusses the current landscape of clinical trials,focusing on their geographic distribution,reported efficacy,safety profiles,treatment timing,administration techniques,and dosing considerations.Finally,the review discusses the preclinical strategies to enhance ADSC efficacy.This review shows that many trials exhibit biases in study design,unclear inclusion criteria,and intervention protocols.In conclusion,this review underscores the potential of ADSCs in DFU treatment and emphasizes the critical need for further research and refinement of therapeutic approaches,with a focus on improving the quality of future clinical trials to enhance treatment outcomes and advance the field of diabetic wound care.

Efficacy of Huangma Ding or autologous platelet-rich gel for the diabetic lower extremity arterial disease patients with foot ulcers

BACKGROUND Diabetes foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and an important cause of death and disability,traditional treatment has poor efficacy and there is an urgent need to develop a practical treatment method.AIM To investigate whether Huangma Ding or autologous platelet-rich gel(APG)treatment would benefit diabetic lower extremity arterial disease(LEAD)patients with foot ulcers.METHODS A total of 155 diabetic LEAD patients with foot ulcers were enrolled and divided into three groups:Group A(62 patients;basal treatment),Group B(38 patients;basal treatment and APG),and Group C(55 patients;basal treatment and Huangma Ding).All patients underwent routine follow-up visits for six months.After follow-up,we calculated the changes in all variables from baseline and determined the differences between groups and the relationships between parameters.RESULTS The infection status of the three groups before treatment was the same.Procalcitonin(PCT)improved after APG and Huangma Ding treatment more than after traditional treatment and was significantly greater in Group C than in Group B.Logistic regression analysis revealed that PCT was positively correlated with total amputation,primary amputation,and minor amputation rates.The ankle-brachial pressure and the transcutaneous oxygen pressure in Groups B and C were greater than those in Group A.The major amputation rate,minor amputation rate,and total amputation times in Groups B and C were lower than those in Group A.CONCLUSION Our research indicated that diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs)lead to major amputation,minor amputation,and total amputation through local infection and poor microcirculation and macrocirculation.Huangma Ding and APG were effective attreating DFUs.The clinical efficacy of Huangma Ding was better than that of autologous platelet gel,which may be related to the better control of local infection by Huangma Ding.This finding suggested that in patients with DFUs combined with coinfection,controlling infection is as important as improving circulation.

Clinical comprehensive treatment protocol for managing diabetic foot ulcers:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs)are a common complication of diabetes,often leading to severe infections,amputations,and reduced quality of life.The current standard treatment protocols for DFUs have limitations in promoting efficient wound healing and preventing complications.A comprehensive treatment approach targeting multiple aspects of wound care may offer improved outcomes for patients with DFUs.The hypothesis of this study is that a comprehensive treatment protocol for DFUs will result in faster wound healing,reduced amputation rates,and improved overall patient outcomes compared to standard treatment protocols.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of a comprehensive treatment protocol for DFUs with those of the standard treatment protocol.METHODS This retrospective study included 62 patients with DFUs,enrolled between January 2022 and January 2024,randomly assigned to the experimental(n=32)or control(n=30)group.The experimental group received a comprehensive treatment comprising blood circulation improvement,debridement,vacuum sealing drainage,recombinant human epidermal growth factor and anti-inflammatory dressing,and skin grafting.The control group received standard treatment,which included wound cleaning and dressing,antibiotics administration,and surgical debridement or amputation,if necessary.Time taken to reduce the white blood cell count,number of dressing changes,wound healing rate and time,and amputation rate were assessed.RESULTS The experimental group exhibited significantly better outcomes than those of the control group in terms of the wound healing rate,wound healing time,and amputation rate.Additionally,the comprehensive treatment protocol was safe and well tolerated by the patients.CONCLUSION Comprehensive treatment for DFUs is more effective than standard treatment,promoting granulation tissue growth,shortening hospitalization time,reducing pain and amputation rate,improving wound healing,and enhancing quality of life.

Use of Topical Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in Diabetic Septic Foot Disease in Makkah Region, Western of Saudi Arabia, an Exploratory Study

Diabetes is a chronic condition that is significantly impacted daily by environment. At least one in five Saudis, suffer from diabetes. “Diabetes is a pandemic of unprecedented magnitude spiraling out of control” (Boulton). Saudi Arabia ranks the second highest in the Middle East, and is the seventh in the world for the prevalence of diabetes (WHO). Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been found to be related to high mortality, morbidity accompanied by poor general health and lower quality of life. Current Saudi diabetes patients’ behaviors, practices, and beliefs regarding foot health problems such as ulcers, are not well investigated. Diabetic patients frequently utilize natural remedies and Herbs for self-medication as a part of complementary and alternative Medicine. Aim of study: To explore the widespread use of the alternative remedies in the local communities of the Western Saudi Arabia, the drives behind using and to focus on the potential adverse effects following their usage. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 386 diabetic patients with feet problems in Makkah Region, West of Saudi Arabia during the period April - June 2023. Results: Out of the 531 participants, only 386 participants reported diabetic foot disorder (DFD). Most of the participant were above 65 years of age group (24.61 %). Male (52.08%) more than female (47.92%) in the research group. All of the participants had diabetic foot disorders at least once. The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use among them was 67.88%, as solitary or in combination with hospital medicines. Honey headed the list followed by myrrh and black seeds. Acquaintances advice (59.54%) was the most reason for using the alternative medicine. 60.30% of Diabetic foot patient complained of adverse effects during CAM remedies use. Conclusion: Consumption of CAM remedies among diabetic patients for Diabetic Foot Disorder (DFD) is common. Honey headed the list followed by myrrh and black seeds. Additional wide-scale research is required to establish their actual efficacy, safety and potential adverse out-comes and to generalize the outcomes.

The Effect of Transverse Tibial Bone Transfer in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot

To analyse the effectiveness of performing a transverse tibial bone graft in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot. We retrospectively analysed the clinical details of 51 diabetic foot patients in our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024 and divided them into two groups according to the different treatment modalities, in which the control group received open debridement and the treatment group received transverse tibial bone transfer and compared the differences between the two groups. There were large differences in VAS score, Toronto Clinical Symptom Score, quality of life score, internal lumen diameter, blood flow velocity in the affected limb, perfusion volume, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor and CRP between the two groups after surgery (P < 0.05). Patients with diabetic foot should be treated with transverse tibial bone grafting, which is safer and more effective and can have a significant impact on improving the status of the affected limb, the inflammation and the patient’s quality of life.

Current scenario of traditional medicines in management of diabetic foot ulcers:A review

Diabetic foot infections and diabetic foot ulcers(DFU)cause significant suffering and are often recurring.DFU have three important pathogenic factors,namely,microangiopathy causing local tissue anoxia,neuropathy making the foot prone to injuries from trivial trauma,and local tissue hyperglycaemia favouring infection and delaying the wound healing.DFU have been the leading cause for non-traumatic amputations of part or whole of the limb.Western medicines focus mainly on euglycaemia,antimicrobials,debridement and wound cover with grafts,and off-loading techniques.Advances in euglycaemic control,foot care and footwear,systemic antimicrobial therapy,and overall health care access and delivery,have resulted in an overall decrease in amputations.However,the process of wound care after adequate debridement remains a major cost burden globally,especially in developing nations.This process revolves around two basic concerns regarding control/eradication of local infection and promotion of faster healing in a chronic DFU without recurrence.Wound modulation with various dressings and techniques are often a costly affair.Some aspects of the topical therapy with modern/Western medicines are frequently not addressed.Cost of and compliance to these therapies are important as both the wounds and their treatment are“chronic.”Naturally occurring agents/medications from traditional medicine systems have been used frequently in different cultures and nations,though without adequate clinical base/relevance.Traditional Chinese medicine involves restoring yin-yang balance,regulating the‘chi’,and promoting local blood circulation.Traditional medicines from India have been emphasizing on‘naturally’available products to control wound infection and promote all the aspects of wound healing.There is one more group of chemicals which are not pharmaceutical agents but can create acidic milieu in the wound to satisfy the above-mentioned basic concerns.Various natural and plant derived products(e.g.,honey,aloe vera,oils,and calendula)and maggots are also used for wound healing purposes.We believe that patients with a chronic wound are so tired physically,emotionally,and financially that they usually accept native traditional medicine which has the same cultural base,belief,and faith.Many of these products have never been tested in accordance to“evidence-based medicine.”There are usually case reports and experience-based reports about these products.Recently,there have been some trials(in vitro and in vivo)to verify the claims of usage of traditional medicines in management of DFU.Such studies show that these natural products enhance the healing process by controlling infection,stimulating granulation tissue,antimicrobial action,promoting fibroblastic activity and collagen deposition,etc.In this review,we attempt to study and analyse the available literature on results of topical traditional medicines,which are usually advocated in the management of DFU.An integrated and‘holistic’approach of both modern and traditional medicine may be more acceptable to the patient,cost effective,and easy to administer and monitor.This may also nevertheless lead to further improvement in quality of life and decrease in the rates of amputations for DFU.

Amputation in diabetic foot ulcer:A treatment dilemma

Diabetic foot is a clinical manifestation of diabetes with a wide range of symptoms,including ulceration,osteomyelitis,osteoarticular destruction,and gangrene,as a consequence of advanced disease.Some diabetic foot cases present general indications for amputation,including dead limb,threat to the patient’s life,pain,loss of function,or nuisance.Various tools have been introduced to help decision-making in amputation for diabetic foot.However,it remains a conundrum because diabetic foot involves multiple pathomechanisms and factors that hinder its outcomes.Sociocultural issues often impede treatment from the patient’s side.We reviewed different perspectives in diabetic foot management,particularly related to amputation.In addition to deciding whether to amputate,physicians should address amputation level,timing,and ways to avoid patient deconditioning.Surgeons should not be autocratic in these circumstances and should be aware of beneficence and maleficence when considering whether to amputate.The main goal should be improving the patients’quality of life rather than preserving the limb as much as possible.

Diabetic foot ulcer:A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and management modalities

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a debilitating and severe manifestation ofuncontrolled and prolonged diabetes that presents as ulceration, usually locatedon the plantar aspect of the foot. Approximately 15% of individuals with diabeteswill eventually develop DFU, and 14%-24% of them will require amputation ofthe ulcerated foot due to bone infection or other ulcer-related complications. Thepathologic mechanisms underlying DFU are comprise a triad: Neuropathy,vascular insufficiency, and secondary infection due to trauma of the foot.Standard local and invasive care along with novel approaches like stem celltherapy pave the way to reduce morbidity, decrease amputations, and preventmortality from DFU. In this manuscript, we review the current literature withfocus on the pathophysiology, preventive options, and definitive management ofDFU.

Mesenchymal stem cells-based drug delivery systems for diabetic foot ulcer:A review

The complication of diabetes,which is known as diabetic foot ulcer(DFU),is a significant concern due to its association with high rates of disability and mortality.It not only severely affects patients’quality of life,but also imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system.In spite of efforts made in clinical practice,treating DFU remains a challenging task.While mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)therapy has been extensively studied in treating DFU,the current efficacy of DFU healing using this method is still inadequate.However,in recent years,several MSCs-based drug delivery systems have emerged,which have shown to increase the efficacy of MSC therapy,especially in treating DFU.This review summarized the application of diverse MSCs-based drug delivery systems in treating DFU and suggested potential prospects for the future research.

Effect of Bismuth Subgallate/Borneol Combined with Autologous Platelet-Rich Gel in the Treatment of Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Objective: To explore the effect of Bismuth Subgallate/Borneol (SuileTM BSB) healing dressing combined with autologous platelet-rich gel (APG) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods: A total of 120 patients with DFU hospitalized in the Changsha Central Hospital from August 2020 to September 2021 were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (BSB + APG, n = 60) and a control group (BSB, n = 60) according to random number table method. The total therapeutic effect, healing time, hospital stay, level indexes of various inflammatory factors before and after treatment and ulcer area were observed in the two groups. Results: The total effect of the control group was worse than that of the experimental group, and the data between the two groups were significant (P 0.05);after treatment, the levels of inflammatory factors including WBC, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in the control group were higher than those in the experimental group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P 0.05);after 14 days of treatment, the ulcer area in the control group was larger than that in the experimental group, and the data between the two groups were significant (P Conclusion: BSB combined with APG can achieve better therapeutic effect, reduce the inflammatory reaction of patients, and promote wound healing in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

Early hemodynamics after tibial transverse transport in patients with nonarterial stenosis and arterial stenosis diabetic foot

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of peripheral arteriopathy in the diabetic foot is complicated by diabetes and its advanced complications.It has been found that diabetic foot can be categorized into arterial stenosis and non-arterial stenosis,both of which have significant differences in hemodynamic characteristics.AIM To evaluate the early hemodynamic changes in diabetic foot patients with nonarterial stenosis and arterial stenosis treated by tibial transverse transport(TTT)using high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography(HFCDU)and a laser Doppler flowmeter.METHODS Twenty-five patients with Wagner grades 3-5 diabetic foot ulcers were treated with TTT,and the wound healing time and rate were recorded.Patients were grouped according to the results of preoperative lower-extremity ultrasonography.Cases with≥50%stenosis in any of the femoral,popliteal,posterior tibial,anterior tibial,and peroneal arteries of the affected limb were classified as the arterial stenosis group(n=16);otherwise,they were classified as the nonarterial stenosis group(n=9).Before and one month after surgery,HFCDU was used to evaluate the degree of lower limb artery lesions and hemodynamic changes in patients.The degree of femoral-popliteal atherosclerotic stenosis,the degree of vascular stenosis and occlusion of the lower-knee outflow tract,and the degree of medial arterial calcification were scored;the three scores were added together to obtain the total score of lower extremity arteriopathy.PeriScanPIM3,a laser Doppler flowmeter system,was used to detect alterations in plantar microcirculation before and 1 mo after surgery.Wound healing and hemodynamic indices were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The wound healing time of the diabetic foot was significantly shorter in the nonarterial stenosis group than in the arterial stenosis group(47.8±13 vs 85.8±26,P<0.05),and the wound healing rate of both groups was 100%.The preoperative total lower extremity arteriopathy scores were lower in the nonarterial stenosis group than those in the arterial stenosis group(18.89±8.87 vs 24.63±3.52,P<0.05).The nonarterial stenosis group showed higher preoperative popliteal artery(POA)blood flow than the arterial stenosis group(204.89±80.76 cc/min vs 76.75±48.49 cc/min,P<0.05).Compared with the baseline(before surgery),the postoperative POA blood flow of the affected limb in the nonarterial stenosis group decreased one month after surgery(134.11±47.84 cc/min vs 204.89±80.76 cc/min,P<0.05),while that in the arterial stenosis group increased(98.44±30.73 cc/min vs 61.69±21.70 cc/min,P<0.05).Although the POA blood flow in the arterial stenosis group was obviously improved one month after surgery,it was still lower than that in the nonarterial stenosis group(98.44±30.73 cc/min vs 134.11±47.84 cc/min,P<0.05).The nonarterial stenosis group had higher preoperative plantar microcirculation than the arterial stenosis group(56.1±9.2 vs 33.2±7.5,P<0.05);compared with the baseline,the plantar microcirculation in the arterial stenosis group was significantly improved one month after surgery(51.9±7.2,P<0.05),while that in the nonarterial stenosis group was reduced(35.9±7.2,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Based on preoperative HFCDU findings,diabetic foot patients can be divided into two categories:Those with nonarterial stenosis and those with arterial stenosis,with obvious differences in hemodynamic changes in the early postoperative period between them.In the early stage after TTT,the blood flow volume and velocity and the plantar microcirculation perfusion of the affected limb of the diabetic foot with nonarterial stenosis decreased compared with the baseline,while those of the diabetic foot with arterial stenosis improved significantly compared with the baseline,although both had smoothly healed diabetic foot ulcers.