title: Diabetic foot infection treatment and care.
abstract: Foot infections in diabetic patients are a common, complex and costly problem. They are potentially adverse with progression to deeper spaces and tissues and are associated with severe complications. The management of diabetic foot infection (DFI) requires a prompt and systematic approach to achieve more successful outcomes and to ultimately avoid amputations. This study reviews a multi-step treatment for DFIs. Between September 2010 and September 2012, a total of about 37 patients were consulted for DFI. The treatment algorithm included four steps, that is, several types of debridement according to the type of wound, the application of negative pressure therapy (NPT), other advanced dressings, a targeted antibiotic therapy local or systemic as the case may, and, if necessary, reconstructive surgery. This treatment protocol showed excellent outcomes, allowing us to avoid amputation in most difficult cases. Only about 8% of patients require amputation. This treatment protocol and a multidisciplinary approach with a specialised team produced excellent results in the treatment of DFI and in the management of diabetic foot in general, allowing us to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients and also to ensure cost savings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Sapienza' University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cigna
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Sapienza' University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fino
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Sapienza' University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Onesti
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Sapienza' University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Amorosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Sapienza' University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scuderi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: DFI; DFUs; Diabetic foot infection; Diabetic foot treatment protocol; Diabetic foot ulcers
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