title: A novel approach to the management of the diabetic foot: metatarsal excision in the treatment of osteomyelitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the procedure and outcomes of metatarsal excision in seven patients treated for osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average age was 60.6 (48-83) years. The mean length of hospital stay was 33.5 (3-50) days (excluding one patient who died from hospital acquired pneumonia). All remaining patients had negative wound cultures after a mean 7.4 (0-20) days of antibiotic treatment after procedure and were discharged from hospital 16.9 (2-48) days after surgery. Two patients developed wound infections after discharge. Pre-operative levels of mobility were achieved within a mean of 12.6 days (range 2-40).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In diabetic patients, metatarsal excision may be better than transmetatarsal amputation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Division of Anaesthesia and Surgery, University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mackie
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sare
authors.forename: A K M
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pherwani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008684:Metatarsus / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome