Amputation in diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Foot ulcers and their complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes. The present study examines the amputation risk criterion and the long term outcome in terms of amputations and mortality in patients with diabetic foot. Methods: 27 patients with diabetic foot lesions were studied. There were 15 patients with early lesions and 10 with advanced lesions. 15 patients were managed conservatively including local amputations and 12 with lower extremity amputations. 80% patients were males in 45–59 years of age group and all patients had more than 6 years of poorly controlled diabetes. Results: Precipitating factors included walking barefoot, history of minor trauma, infection, callosities or burns in 86% of patients. Major lower limb amputations were common in irregularly treated, poorly controlled diabetics due to infection in a limb devitalized by angiopathy and desensitised by neuropathy. Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcers are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Mortality was higher in ischaemic ulcers than neuropathic ulcers.