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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2021; 129(06): 438-442
DOI: 10.1055/a-0942-1789
Article

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

Ian Mario Vassallo
1   Department of Health, Malta
,
Alfred Gatt
2   Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
,
Kevin Cassar
1   Department of Health, Malta
3   Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
,
Nikolaos Papanas
4   Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Cynthia Formosa
2   Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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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

© 2019. Thieme. All rights reserved.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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