Vnitr Lek 2006, 52(5):459-464

Healing of skin lesions in diabetic foot syndrome during hospitalization

A. Jirkovská

Centrum diabetologie IKEM, Praha, přednostka prof. MUDr. Terezie Pelikánová, DrSc.

Wound healing during the diabetic foot disease is indicated to in-patient treatment in case of non-healing wound, in case of serious infection and/or critical ischemia and in case of necessity of surgical treatment. Diabetic foot disease is the main reason for in-patient treatment of people with diabetes, which our experience confirms. Chronic wound is characterised by non-healing for at least 4 weeks. Ischemia and recurrent trauma caused by incomplete off-loading, prolong inflammation and infection are the main reasons for difficult healing of chronic wound. Infection is also leading cause for prolonged hospitalisation of patients with diabetic foot disease. Local decrease of grow factors and increase of tissue protease are characteristics of chronic wound. The process of wound healing is characterized by a cascade of interrelated events involving infection and inflammatory factors. The results of these investigations led to the moist wound healing concept and use of growth factors and bioengineered skin substitutes. We have good experience with the use of xenotransplant skin substitues in the treatment of diabetic foot. Off loading techniques including total contact casting, local therapy by debridement and skin substitutes had the best evidence based efficacy. We are introducing new method of the treatment of diabetic foot - VAC - vacuum assisted closure. The fundamental principle in the therapy during in-patient period, is comprehensive approach; the omitting of any of the principle of the therapy - e.g. the off-loading of the ulcers, the infection and ischemia control, may contribute to its failure.

Keywords: diabetic foot disease; chronic wound treatment; foot infection

Received: June 3, 2005; Accepted: June 3, 2005; Published: May 1, 2006  Show citation