A clinical study of outcome of various dressings in management of diabetic foot ulcers

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are a prevalent and serious global health issue. Dressings form a key part of ulcer treatment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of various dressings in management of diabetic foot among the patients with diabetic foot ulcer.Methods: This is a prospective study carried out in a surgical unit of Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, from February 2015 January 2017. All patients were allocated randomly into four groups – Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D which corresponded to saline, povidone-iodine, metronidazole and eusol dressing respectively. Data was collected by history taking, clinical examination, and follow up of the cases. All patients underwent daily surgical wound debridement and dressing. The results were collected, analyzed and compared.Results: total of 83 patients were evaluated age ranged between 20 to 80 years with maximal clustering between 51-60 years of age. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Poor glycemic control and diabetes for more than 5 – 10 years increase the risk of foot ulcer. Usage of Povidone Iodine, Eusol and Metronidazole did not offer any healing benefit when compared to normal saline dressing.Conclusions: Early diagnosis, proper management like bed rest, adequate surgical wound debridement and non-irritant dressing is the mainstay of treatment for diabetic foot ulcer without ischemia. Since diabetic foot has a multi factorial origin, multi-disciplinary approach forms the backbone for the management of diabetic foot.