TY - JOUR
T1 - Bio-Engineering tissue and V.A.C. therapy
T2 - A new method for the treatment of extensive necrotizing infection in the diabetic foot
AU - Armenio, Andrea
AU - Cutrignelli, Daniela Anna
AU - Nardulli, Maria Luisa
AU - Maggio, Giulio
AU - Memeo, Giuseppe
AU - De Santis, Valerio
AU - Giudice, Giuseppe
AU - Ressa, Cosmo Maurizio
PY - 2017/5/1
Y1 - 2017/5/1
N2 - AIM: The aim of the study is to compare the standard care for progressive necrotizing infection in diabetic foot with a treatment protocol based on the association between autologous fibroblast grafts and vacuum-assisted closure therapy (V.A.C.). MATERIAL OF STUDY: A retrospective matched Case-Control study was carried out on 20 patients with diabetic foot infection, 10 treated with the standard care and 10 with our new protocol. Inclusion criteria were: acute diabetic foot necrosis (Wagner III and IV), ulcer size (30 to 80 cm2), tendon and bone exposure. Success in the treatment was evaluated as: percentage of healing at the 20th week, time of healing, deambulation, recurrence and major amputation rate. RESULTS: A 90% healing rate was observed after 20 weeks in the study group, compared to a 28.6% in the control group. The recurrence rate in the treated areas was 20% in the study group and 100% in the control group. None of the patients in either group required major amputations. DISCUSSION: We achieved very promising results by associating autologous fibroblasts grafts and V.A.C. therapy, in comparison with standard care. V.A.C. therapy seems to improve the growth rate of the fibroblasts, probably by sealing the wound and providing a moist environment following the fibroblast graft. The improved neoangiogenesis of the neo-dermis could explain the reduced recurrence rate of the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low number of patients involved and the retrospective nature of the analysis, this study showed a reliable, safe and cost-effective method of treating extensive infection in the diabetic foot.
AB - AIM: The aim of the study is to compare the standard care for progressive necrotizing infection in diabetic foot with a treatment protocol based on the association between autologous fibroblast grafts and vacuum-assisted closure therapy (V.A.C.). MATERIAL OF STUDY: A retrospective matched Case-Control study was carried out on 20 patients with diabetic foot infection, 10 treated with the standard care and 10 with our new protocol. Inclusion criteria were: acute diabetic foot necrosis (Wagner III and IV), ulcer size (30 to 80 cm2), tendon and bone exposure. Success in the treatment was evaluated as: percentage of healing at the 20th week, time of healing, deambulation, recurrence and major amputation rate. RESULTS: A 90% healing rate was observed after 20 weeks in the study group, compared to a 28.6% in the control group. The recurrence rate in the treated areas was 20% in the study group and 100% in the control group. None of the patients in either group required major amputations. DISCUSSION: We achieved very promising results by associating autologous fibroblasts grafts and V.A.C. therapy, in comparison with standard care. V.A.C. therapy seems to improve the growth rate of the fibroblasts, probably by sealing the wound and providing a moist environment following the fibroblast graft. The improved neoangiogenesis of the neo-dermis could explain the reduced recurrence rate of the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low number of patients involved and the retrospective nature of the analysis, this study showed a reliable, safe and cost-effective method of treating extensive infection in the diabetic foot.
KW - Bio-Engineered Tissue
KW - Diabetic foot
KW - Fibroblast graft
KW - V.A.C
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85030536652
SN - 0003-469X
VL - 88
SP - 268
EP - 274
JO - Annali Italiani di Chirurgia
JF - Annali Italiani di Chirurgia
IS - 3
ER -