Healing and Mortality Rates Following Toe Amputation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background and Aim This single-centre study aimed to determine healing, re-ulceration, re-amputation and mortality rates at one year after toe amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Patients and Methods Eighty-one participants with T2DM admitted for toe amputation were included. Patient characteristics, peripheral circulation and neuropathy status were recorded. Subjects were then followed every 3 months post-amputation for a year.

Results Overall, 59.3% of participants underwent further surgery (n=31 to revise the original amputation site and n=17 to amputate a new site). During 12 months, 45.7% of participants presented with a new ulcer at a different site. Mortality was 7.4%. In 12.4% of participants, the amputation site remained incompletely healed. Only 20.9% had no complications in 12 months. At 12 months, 80.2% of study cohort had a completely healed amputation site.

ConclusionIn conclusion, this study highlighted high re-intervention, re-amputation and new ulceration rates. Strategies to improves these outcomes in such high-risk patients are warranted.

Key words

diabetic foot - mortality - foot morbidity - amputations - healing

Publication History

Received: 24 March 2019
Received: 13 May 2019

Accepted: 27 May 2019

Article published online:
17 June 2019

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