title: [Vascular medicine needs more evidence: recent results and meta-analyses for the treatment of diabetic feet].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This overview comments on clinical trials and meta-analyses from the literature on the treatment of diabetic feet.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the literature review, the MEDLINE database (PUBMED) was searched under the key words "diabetic foot". Publications of the last three years (2012 to 2014) were extracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For patients with diabetic feet, both endovascular (ER) and open (OR) revascularisation techniques are possible. There are not sufficient data to demonstrate whether open bypass surgery or endovascular interventions are more effective in these patients. However, registries show that ER has now in terms of quantity become the preferred method. Angiosome-targeted revascularisation has to be considered in these situations. For the local treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer a variety of dressings are available, the evidence for their recommendation is low. Dressing cost and the wound management properties, e.g. exudate management therefore can influence the choice of dressing. There is no evidence that more expensive dressings as compared to basic dressings offer advantages in terms of healing. In plantar diabetic foot ulcers, non-removable off-loading devices regardless of type are more likely to result in ulcer healing than removable off-loading devices, presumably, because patient compliance with off-loading is facilitated. Meaningful pressure-relieving interventions for treating diabetic foot ulcers also include Achilles tendon lengthening, a plantar fascia release and percutaneous flexor tenotomy. The value of a standardised treatment protocol carried out by a specialist team could be proven in large registries based on decreasing amputation rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey reveals a significant disparity between the large number of treatment recommendations and their evidence. For the future, therefore it is imperative to implement nationwide register surveys with respect to treatment and outcome of these patients.
authors: Klinik für Vaskuläre und Endovaskuläre Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Deutschland.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Torsello
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Gefäßmedizin, Universitäres Herzzentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Deutschland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Debus
authors: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A. ö. R., Deutschland.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Meyer
authors: Deutsches Institut für Gefäßmedizinische Gesundheitsforschung gGmbH (DIGG), Berlin, Deutschland.
authors: R T
authors: RT
authors: Grundmann
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012042:Registries; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology