title: Soft tissue reconstruction pyramid in the diabetic foot.
abstract: Foot complications and ulceration are well-known sequelae to uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with chronic foot ulcers or wounds resulting from surgical debridement of deep-space infections are at continued risk for development of osteomyelitis and potential amputation. Moreover, these wounds often necessitate multiple outpatient clinic visits, daily dressing care, and prolonged periods of non-weight bearing, all of which have been shown to adversely affect the patient's quality of life. After a prudent period of wound-healing response, the authors believe that early and aggressive soft tissue reconstruction is in the patient's best interest and is crucial for resolution of the chronic nonhealing wound. The options for soft tissue coverage and the logical progression of application of these techniques in the diabetic foot will be described.
authors.affiliation: Division of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zgonis
mesh_terms: D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D011300:Preoperative Care; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D014945:Wound Healing