Diabetic limb salvage. A team approach at a teaching institution.
In this retrospective review, 19 diabetic patients with significant lower-extremity pathology were assessed to determine the success of limb salvage in cases of varying complexity. The patients were either scheduled or at risk for below-the-knee amputation before intervention. After the limb-salvage procedure, patients were followed for 4 months to 9 years. Eighteen patients went on to have successful procedures, avoiding below-the-knee amputation; one patient had an above-the-knee amputation. The results demonstrate the benefits of an aggressive team approach with limb salvage as a goal.
DeNamur
Chad
C
Kern Hospital and Medical Center, Warren, MI, USA.
Pupp
Guy
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy