title: Treatment of resistant ulcers on the plantar surface of the great toe in diabetics.
abstract: Six diabetic patients with a large, resistant ulcer on the plantar surface of the great toe were treated by resection of the proximal one-half of the proximal phalanx of the great toe through a dorsal median incision followed by a split-thickness skin graft onto the ulcer bed. Each of these ulcers had failed to heal with conservative measures which included debridement, split-thickness skin grafts, and extra-depth shoes with molded insoles. Preoperatively each patient had a complete vascular evaluation and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Postoperatively the ulcers healed promptly, and no ulcers had recurred at follow-up after two to five years. The only complication was delayed healing of the incision in one patient. At follow-up no obvious functional impairment of gait was evident, and each patient had regained his or her original functional status.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006214:Hallux / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing