English

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of grated papaya fruit dressings in the management of diabetic foot ulcers. STUDY DESIGN: In our study, all the patients with diabetic foot ulcers (n=94) were included. The initial management was control of hyperglycemia, surgical debridement, antibiotics and then wound care with the help of grated papaya dressings. In this study, dressings were changed every 24 hours. The wound was considered healthy, when it was covered with healthy granulation tissue and had epithelial growth on wound edges. RESULTS: In this study, results reveal that majority (83.0%) of the patients were male. Among them, surgical debridement was done for sixty three patients (67.2%) and thirty one patients (33.8%) required amputation. After the initial surgical debridement papaya dressings were needed in about 89.0%. Six patients (7%) needed further surgical debridement and four (4.0%) required amputations. Duration of healing was 17 to 28 days. Mean healing period was 21.56 days. CONCLUSION: Topical grated papaya dressings provide good enzymatic wound debridement. It is cost effective, reduces the duration of healing time, number of surgical debridements required and reduces the incidence of amputation.