“The treatment of “Gangrene”for diabetic patients.”
The treatment of gangrene in diabetic patients depends on removing the affected tissues, preventing infection, treating any existing infections, and addressing the underlying issue that led to the development of gangrene. For example, if gangrene is due to poor blood flow, surgery may be used to treat vascular insufficiency. If gangrene is the result of an infection, potent antibiotics may be used. In this article, we will further explore the methods used to treat diabetic foot gangrene and when each of them is employed.
“Removing dead tissue.”
“Often, the surgical removal of dead tissue is necessary to prevent the spread of gangrene and allow the surrounding tissue to heal.”
“Amputation of the foot.”
“In severe cases of gangrene, where a complete part of the body such as a toe or the entire foot is affected, the doctor may need to resort to amputation. Amputation can prevent the spread of gangrene to other parts of the body. Additionally, the doctor may opt for amputation to remove severely damaged limbs so that prosthetic limbs can be fitted.”
“Treatment of infection with antibiotics.”
“Antibiotics are used to treat diabetic foot gangrene resulting from infection, which can be administered in the form of tablets or injections. In cases where the patient needs surgery or has a severe infection, injections are always necessary and are given directly into the vein.”
“Gangrene treatment with balloon angioplasty and stent placement.”
“In some cases, surgery may be performed to restore blood flow to the affected area through:”
“Peripheral bypass surgery:”
“Where the surgeon redirects blood flow, bypassing the blockage by attaching one of the veins to a healthy portion of the artery.”“Vascular repair:”
“Where a small balloon is placed in the narrowed or blocked artery and inflated to open the vessel. Additionally, a small metal tube called a stent may be inserted into the artery to help keep it open. Research indicates that both techniques have the same level of effectiveness in restoring blood flow and preventing short-term amputation. Vascular repair surgery also allows for faster healing time for the patient.”“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT):”
“The patient sits in a specially designed room filled with pressurized air, and a plastic hood is placed over the patient’s face to provide pure oxygen for inhalation. This treatment increases oxygen levels in the bloodstream, reaching the affected areas with poor blood flow, thereby speeding up the healing process.”
“For gangrene caused by bacterial infection, oxygen can also halt some types of bacteria, especially those responsible for gas gangrene that produce toxins allowing infection to spread, thereby preventing further tissue damage. Research has shown that high-pressure oxygen therapy is highly effective in treating gangrene resulting from diabetic foot ulcers, reducing the risk of amputation.”
“Reconstructive surgery.”
“Reconstructive surgery can involve using skin grafts to cover the area of skin damaged by gangrene, where the surgeon removes healthy skin from another part of the body and patches it onto the affected area.”
How is gangrene diagnosed?
Initially, the vascular surgeon takes the medical history, conducts a comprehensive examination of the peripheral blood vessels, performs necessary tests and examinations, performs color Doppler ultrasound on the leg arteries, and conducts a CT angiography of the leg arteries to determine the location and extent of blockage to identify dead tissues in the leg.
“Dr. Hossam El Mahdy, a vascular surgery consultant at Cairo University, is considered the best vascular surgeon in Mohandessin and Al Manial.” “City Nasr and Al Tagamoa are known for providing comprehensive treatment for diabetic foot gangrene, ensuring all measures are taken to save the foot from amputation and prevent complications.”
Comments are closed