Diabetic foot: research and practice at a department of general surgery

BACKGROUND: According to World Health Organization estimates, the number of patients with diabetes mellitus may reach 853 million by 2050. In 2024 alone, this condition caused 3.4 million deaths. Despite advancements in the treatment of diabetic foot complications and innovative high-tech techniques, incidence and amputation rates continue to increase.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze treatment outcomes in patients with purulent-necrotic diabetic foot complications and reduce the number of mutilating surgeries.

METHODS: A total of 180 clinical cases were analyzed in patients admitted to the Department of General Surgery of S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy over a 10-year period. The proposed diagnostic algorithm and treatment strategy with innovative physical therapies for wound healing (ultrasonic cavitation, ozone therapy) were used. The control group included 40 patients who received conventional general and topical therapy based on the wound healing stage. Objective assessment included cytological and bacteriological analyses, as well as computed tomography-based planimetry to assess changes during physical therapy (ultrasonic cavitation, ozone therapy). This approach provided reliable results and enabled objective assessment of the efficacy of the proposed treatment algorithm.

RESULTS: A comprehensive approach which includes contemporary physical therapy options significantly improves treatment outcomes in patients with diabetic foot while reducing the duration of treatment and the number of radical and mutilating surgeries.

CONCLUSION: The management of diabetic foot complications remains a major concern in purulent surgery, necessitating further research and implementation of contemporary techniques to assess the course of wound healing and use additional topical wound treatment techniques.