title: Current concepts in the surgical management of acute diabetic foot infections.
abstract: Diabetic foot complications are common, costly, and difficult to treat. Peripheral neuropathy, repetitive trauma, and peripheral vascular disease are common reasons that lead to ulcers, infection, and hospitalization. Individuals with diabetes presenting with foot infection require optimal medical and surgical management to accomplish limb salvage and prevent amputation; aggressive short-term and meticulous long-term care plans are required. Multiple classification systems have been recommended to ease the understanding and the management of these infections. Multi-disciplinary approach is the mainstay for a successful management. Such teams typically include multiple medical, surgical, and nursing specialties across a variety of public and private health care systems. This article is an overview in how to medically and surgically approach the diabetic foot infection with emphasis in soft tissue infection.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Dallas, TX, United States. Electronic address: javierlafontaine@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: La Fontaine
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease, Dallas, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bhavan
authors.affiliation: Hamad Medical Corporation, Department of Medicine, Diabetic Foot and Wound Care Center, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Talal K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Talal
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Dallas, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Lawrence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lavery
mesh_terms: D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Abscess; Foot infections; Foot ulcers; Wound