Treatment of diabetic foot complications with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: A retrospective experience

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational study of all patients with diabetic foot ulcers treated at the Institution's hyperbaric chamber between January 2010 and August 2012. Patient data was obtained upon patient hospital visit and prospective clinical record consultation.ResultsTwenty-six foot lesions including 13 foot ulcers Wagner grade 2 or greater and 13 amputation stump ulcers were submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy between January 2010 and August 2012 in our Institution. Of these, 23 foot lesions completed treatment and complete epithelialization of the primary lesion was achieved in 15 (65%). The mean healing period since the first hyperbaric oxygen therapy session was 16 weeks. Above-ankle amputations were performed in 3 limbs and transmetatarsal amputations in 2 limbs.ConclusionHyperbaric oxygen may be associated with ulcer healing in selected diabetic foot ulcers with impaired cicatrization.     

Can major amputation rates be decreased in diabetic foot ulcers with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for diabetic foot ulcer since the 1980s, there is little information on its efficacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen can decrease major amputation rates and to determine the predictive factors. A total of 184 consecutive patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct to standard treatment modalities for their diabetic foot ulcer. Of these patients, 115 were completely healed, 31 showed no improvement and 38 underwent amputation. Of the amputations, nine (4.9%) were major amputations (below knee) and 29 were minor. Major amputations were associated with the Wagner grade (p < 0.0001), with the age of the patients (p = 0.028) and with the age of the wounds (p = 0.018). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to reduce the major amputation rates in diabetic foot ulcer. However, further large, multicentre, randomised controlled studies are needed to make more accurate conclusions.     

A prospective study: hyperbaric oxygen therapy in diabetics with chronic foot ulcers

Research suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may have beneficial effects on ulcer healing and amputation rates in diabetic patients. This paper describes the design of a study that is evaluating its effects on chronic diabetic foot ulcers.     

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for nonischemic diabetic ulcers: A systematic review

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes, which affects 25% of patients and may ultimately lead to amputation of affected limbs. Research suggests hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves healing of these ulcers. However, this has not been reflected in previous reviews, possibly because they did not differentiate between patients with and without peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of published literature in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases on nonischemic diabetic foot ulcers with outcome measures including complete ulcer healing, amputation rate (major and minor), and mortality. Seven studies were included, of which two were randomized clinical trials. Two studies found no difference in major amputation rate, whereas one large retrospective study found 2% more major amputations in the hyperbaric oxygen group. However, this study did not correct for baseline differences. Two studies showed no significant difference in minor amputation rate. Five studies reporting on complete wound healing showed no significant differences. In conclusion, the current evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not accelerate wound healing and does not prevent major or minor amputations in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer without peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Based on the available evidence, routine clinical use of this therapy cannot be recommended. However, the available research for this specific subgroup of patients is scarce, and physicians should counsel patients on expected risks and benefits. Additional research, focusing especially on patient selection criteria, is needed to better identify patients that might profit from this therapy modality.     

Comparison of two classification systems in predicting the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers: the Wagner grade and the Saint Elian Wound score systems

The aim of the study was to compare two systems of classification in a consecutive population with diabetic foot ulcers: the Wagner grade and the Saint Elian Wound Score System (SEWSS). Sociodemographic information, patient‐related and ulcer‐related data at first presentation was recorded, and the patients were followed up until wound healing or accepting major amputation or for 24 weeks. One hundred eighty‐six patients were included in the study, of which 172 patients were completely followed up. Among the remaining 172 patients, 53.5% (n = 92) were healed without minor amputation, 32% (n = 55) were healed with minor amputation, 9.3% (n = 16) were not healed at study termination, 3.5% (n = 6) died and 1.7% (n = 3) underwent major amputation. The median healing time for Wagner 1, Wagner 2, Wagner 3, and Wagner 4 were 23, 50, 54, 119 days, respectively. The log‐rank test showed significant differences in healing time for Wagner 1, Wagner 2, Wagner 3, and Wagner 4; The median healing time for SEWSS I, SEWSS II and SEWSS III were 12, 51, and 150 days, respectively. The log‐rank test showed significant differences in healing time for SEWSS I, SEWSS II and SEWSS III. Cox regression analysis showed a decreasing probability of healing with or without minor amputation with a higher SEWSS value, an increase in the SEWSS by one score reduced the probability for healing by 24%. ROC analysis showed Wagner 3 and a cut‐point 17 of SEWSS had the highest Youden's index. Both the Wagner grade and SEWSS system were associated with the ulcer healing time for the patients with active DFUs. The SEWSS score makes it a better prediction tool of DFU outcome synthetically.     

Bone allograft contamination in multiorgan and tissue donors

Fifty patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers in whom conventional therapy had failed were treated with topical hyperbaric oxygen alone (15 patients) or in combination with a low energy laser (35 patients). Eleven of these patients were treated on an ambulatory basis with topical hyperbaric oxygen. The mean time the ulcer was present before therapy was 9 ± 6.6 months. The mean number of treatments was 25 ± 13, and the mean duration of therapy was 3 ± 1.8 months. Forty-three of the 50 patients were cured. No adverse reactions were noted. Our impression is that topical hyperbaric oxygen alone or in combination with a low power laser are valuable adjuvants to conventional therapy for diabetic foot ulcers. Received: 3 January 1997     

A simple and effective approach for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with different Wagner grades

Diabetic foot infections are the major cause of morbidity. Infection is the common sequel of diabetic foot ulceration that leads to delayed wound healing. These infections are difficult to control. If not addressed well in time, they may lead to amputation of foot. An attempt has been made to develop simple and effective treatment modality by using citric acid as a sole antimicrobial agent to control diabetic foot infections not responding to conventional treatment. Hundred and fifteen cases of diabetic foot ulcers of different Wagner grades infected with a variety of bacteria were investigated for culture and susceptibility, and susceptibility to citric acid. Citric acid gel was applied to ulcer to determine its efficacy in the management of diabetic foot ulcers with different Wagner grades. Citric acid gel was found effective in the control of foot infections; especially in Wagner grades I and II, the success rate was found to be more than 94%. In Wagner grade III also, it was found effective in complete healing of ulcers without deep osteomyelitis. Citric acid treatment is effective in the control of diabetic foot infections and in successful management of diabetic foot ulcers with Wagner grades I and II, and even with Wagner grade III, without deep osteomyelitis.     

Hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of nonhealing arterial insufficiency ulcers

There is limited data regarding hyperbaric oxygen's effectiveness in the treatment of nonhealing arterial insufficiency ulcers. This study was designed to analyze healing rates and amputation rates in patients who underwent adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen for a nonhealing arterial insufficiency ulcer. A retrospective chart review was completed on patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen for arterial insufficiency ulcers that failed to heal despite standard treatment. Information collected included complete ulcer healing, amputation, and patient characteristics. There were 82 patients identified. A majority did not have diabetes (84.1%). The overall rate of healing was 43.9%. The overall major amputation rate was 17.1%. The amputation rate among those who healed was 0% compared to 42.4% among those not healed (p < 0.0001). Dialysis was predictive of major amputation (p = 0.03). Our findings suggest hyperbaric oxygen can play a role in management of arterial insufficiency ulcers that have failed standard treatment. The overwhelming majority of these patients did not have diabetes, which allows this study to be translated to patients with a primary arterial insufficiency ulcer. These results support the use of hyperbaric oxygen for select nonhealing arterial insufficiency ulcers that have failed standard therapy and the need for a prospective pilot study.     

The diabetic foot seen by the surgeon. Personal experience

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate a major amputation risk criterion in diabetic patients with trophic lesions of the foot. The records of a series of 100 consecutive patients (65 males and 35 females) with diabetic foot ulcer treated in our surgical facilities between January 1992 and December 1997, in collaboration with diabetologists and podiatrists, have been reviewed retrospectively. METHODS: In 26 cases the ulcer involved both limbs and, therefore, the feet observed in this study have been 126. Accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause was the first step and in cases with a poor blood supply (69 limbs; 55%) unresponsive to medical therapy (44 limbs) vascular reconstruction (37 limbs), spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implantation (3 limbs) or major amputation (4 limbs) were performed. According to Wagner grading there were 42 grade 2 ulcers (33%), 38 grade 3 (30%), 43 grade 4 (34%) ad 3 grade 5 (3%). RESULTS: One patient died postoperatively after SCS implantation. All but 4 neuropathic ulcers (53 limbs) healed in a mean time (+/- SD) of 5.2 +/- 3.8 months and all but 10 vascular ulcers (59 limbs) healed in a mean time of 6.3 +/- 4.1 months. Of the latter group in 4 cases the patient died before ulcer healing while in 6 cases (8.7%) a major amputation was performed (in 2 cases after vascular reconstruction procedures). Minor amputations of the forefoot have been performed in 23 instances (33%) of vascular ulcer and in 10 cases (17%) of neuropathic ulcer. CONCLUSIONS: Since ischemia is the main risk factor for amputation, it is suggested that a particular effort should be made in improving the vascular diagnostic, both clinical and strumental, capabilities of our diabetologists and podiatrists in order to detect the vascular insufficiency in earlier stages.     

High probability of healing without amputation of plantar forefoot ulcers in patients with diabetes

Diabetic foot ulcer is an important entity which in many cases is the first serious complication in diabetes. Although a plantar forefoot location is common, there are few studies on larger cohorts and in such studies there is often a combination of various types of ulcer and ulcer locations. The purpose of this study is to discern the outcome of plantar forefoot ulcers and their specific characteristics in a large cohort. All patients (n = 770), presenting with a plantar forefoot ulcer at a multidisciplinary diabetes foot clinic from January 1, 1983 to December 31, 2012 were considered for the study. Seven hundred one patients (median age 67 [22–95]) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were followed according to a preset protocol until final outcome (healing or death). Severe peripheral vascular disease was present in 26% of the patients and 14% had evidence of deep infection upon arrival at the foot clinic. Fifty‐five percent (385/701) of the patients healed without foot surgery, 25% (173/701) healed after major debridement, 9% (60/701) healed after minor or major amputation and 12% (83/701) died unhealed. Median healing time was 17 weeks. An ulcer classified as Wagner grade 1 or 2 at inclusion and independent living were factors associated with a higher healing rate. Seventy‐nine percent of 701 patients with diabetes and a plantar forefoot ulcer treated at a multidisciplinary diabetes foot clinic healed without amputation. For one third some form of foot surgery was needed to achieve healing.     

Ulcer‐free survival days and ulcer healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A prospective cohort study

Healing rates may not give a complete indication of the effectiveness and management of diabetic foot ulcers because of high recurrence rates. The most important outcome for patients is remaining ulcer‐free; however, this has hardly been investigated. The aim of our study was to prospectively investigate ulcer‐free survival days and ulcer healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. This was a prospective cohort study of all referrals to our diabetic foot expertise centre from December 2014 to April 2017. Outcomes were determined after a minimum follow‐up period of 12 months. Primary outcomes were ulcer‐free survival days and 12‐month healing percentages. Predictors for ulcer‐free survival days and healing were investigated in multivariate analyses. A total of 158 patients were included. Median ulcer‐free survival days in the healed group were 233 days (interquartile range [IQR] 121‐312) and 131 days (IQR 0–298) in the overall population. The healing rate at 12‐month follow up was 67% (106/158), and the recurrence rate was 31% (33/106). Independent predictors of ulcer‐free survival days were duration of diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), cardiovascular disease, end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), and infection. Ulcer‐free survival days are related to PAD and cardiovascular disease, and ulcer‐free survival days should be the main outcome when comparing the effectiveness of management and prevention of the diabetic foot ulcers.     

Healing of diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers with human skin equivalent: a new paradigm in wound healing

HYPOTHESIS: In patients with diabetic foot and pressure ulcers, early intervention with biological therapy will either halt progression or result in rapid healing of these chronic wounds. DESIGN: In a prospective nonrandomized case series, 23 consecutive patients were treated with human skin equivalent (HSE) after excisional debridement of their wounds. SETTING: A single university teaching hospital and tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with a total of 41 wounds (1.0-7.5 cm in diameter) were treated with placement of HSE after sharp excisional debridement. All patients with pressure ulcers received alternating air therapy with zero-pressure alternating air mattresses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Time to 100% healing, as defined by full epithelialization of the wound and by no drainage from the site. RESULTS: Seven of 10 patients with diabetic foot ulcers had complete healing of all wounds. In these patients 17 of 20 wounds healed in an average of 42 days. Seven of 13 patients with pressure ulcers had complete healing of all wounds. In patients with pressure ulcers, 13 of 21 wounds healed in an average of 29 days. All wounds that did not heal in this series occurred in patients who had an additional stage IV ulcer or a wound with exposed bone. Twenty-nine of 30 wounds that healed did so after a single application of the HSE. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic ulcers and pressure ulcers of various durations, the application of HSE with the surgical principles used in a traditional skin graft is successful in producing healing. The high success rate with complete closure in these various types of wounds suggests that HSE may function as a reservoir of growth factors that also stimulate wound contraction and epithelialization. If a wound has not fully healed after 6 weeks, a second application of HSE should be used. If the wound is not healing, an occult infection is the likely cause. All nonischemic diabetic foot and pressure ulcers that are identified and treated early with aggressive therapy (including antibiotics, off-loading of pressure, and biological therapy) will not progress.     

基于Wagner分级的糖尿病足溃疡智能分级系统的构建及验证

目的 基于Wagner分级构建糖尿病足溃疡智能分级评估系统，并验证其与伤口治疗师对同一足溃疡图片评估结果的同质性。方法 根据人工标注后的1 042张足溃疡图像，利用深度学习方法识别足溃疡图像各区域并进行分割，构建智能分级评估系统实现对足溃疡的自动分级。选取就诊的68例糖尿病足患者的150张足溃疡图片作为验证组，评价智能分级系统和国际伤口治疗师对150张足溃疡图片Wagner分级结果的一致性。结果 糖尿病足智能分级评估系统与伤口治疗师对足溃疡分级的加权Kappa值为0.643(P<0.01)。结论 基于Wagner分级的糖尿病足溃疡智能分级评估系统可实现临床同质化评价，辅助临床医护人员对足溃疡进行分级评估，根据分级结果实施针对性的治疗及护理措施，从而提高护理质量与效果。     

负压创面治疗联合高压氧治疗糖尿病足的临床疗效

目的探讨负压创面治疗联合高压氧治疗糖尿病足的临床疗效。方法采用回顾性病例对照研究分析江苏大学附属人民医院整形烧伤科自2013年2月至2017年12月收治的46例糖尿病足患者的临床资料,根据治疗方法分为对照组(24例)和联合治疗组(22例)。糖尿病足创面按Wagner分级为3~5级;共46足。对照组采用控制血糖、抗感染、清创、创面湿性换药等方法,根据创面情况予以换药、植皮或截肢治疗。联合治疗组在对照组治疗方法基础上采用负压创面治疗联合高压氧治疗,并根据创面情况予以换药、植皮、放置负压引流材料或截肢治疗。治疗后观察患者创面愈合、住院时间及截肢情况。结果治疗总有效率:联合治疗组(59%)明显高于对照组(33%)。对照组和联合治疗组的住院时间分别为(25.2±16.5)d和(28.7±12.8)d。对照组中9例患者共截趾11趾,大腿截肢7例,小腿截肢1例。联合治疗组中5例患者共截趾8趾,小腿截肢2例。与对照组相比,联合治疗组截肢率明显降低(z=-2.617,P<0.05),且踝关节以上截肢率明显下降(33%∶9%,P<0.05)。结论采用负压创面治疗联合高压氧治疗糖尿病足患者,可显著降低截肢率,改善患者出院后的生活质量。     

Factors influencing the outcome of lower-extremity diabetic ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

The objectives of this study were to report outcomes of a large number of patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO(2)T) for diabetic lower-extremity ulcers, and to identify likely outcome predictors. Five hyperbaric facilities supplied data on 1,006 patients. A sixth clinic served as a validation sample for the regression-based prediction model, and later additional data from Memorial Hermann Hospital were added. The severity of lower-extremity lesions was assessed upon initiation of HBO(2)T using the Modified Wagner scale, and the outcome described as healed, partially healed, not improved, amputated, or died. Overall, 73.8% of patients improved (granulated or healed). Factors significantly related to outcome included renal failure, pack-year smoking history, transcutaneous oximetry, number of HBO(2)T treatments, and interruption of treatment regimen. Number of treatments per week and treatment pressure (2.0 vs. 2.4 atmospheres absolute) were not significant factors in outcome. Concomitant administration of autologous growth factor gel did not improve outcome. A multiple regression model was fitted to the data that can be used to predict the outcome of diabetic patients undergoing HBO(2)T. Given the high cost of amputation and rehabilitation, these data suggest that hyperbaric oxygen treatment should be an important adjunctive therapy to heal lower-extremity lesions, especially those with a Wagner grade of 3 or higher.     

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy of diabetic foot ulcers, transcutaneous oxymetry in clinical decision making

The foot ulcer is one of most common and devastating complications of diabetes and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The major causes of these ulcers are ischemia/hypoxia, neuropathy, and infection, and they often coexist. Despite conventional therapy including revascularization procedures when appropriate, three situations lead frequently to amputation: persistent critical limb ischemia, soft tissue infection, and impaired wound healing from osteomyelitis. In these conditions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used as an adjunctive treatment and is associated with a better outcome. Randomized, prospective, controlled trails have shown the benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in diabetic ulcers of the lower extremity. Transcutaneous oxygen measurement performed under hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a prognostic significance when used to select patients who are the most likely to benefit from therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen should be added to conventional treatment if the transcutaneous oxygen tension close to the trophic lesion in 2.5 ATA hyperbaric oxygen is over 200 mmHg. Peri-wound transcutaneous oxygen tensions over 400 mmHg in 2.5 ATA hyperbaric oxygen or over 50 mmHg in normobaric pure oxygen predict healing success with adjuncted hyperbaric oxygen therapy with high accuracy.     

Diabetic foot ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a review of the literature

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) has been used as an adjunct for healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) for decades. However, its use remains controversial. A literature search was conducted to locate clinical studies and assess the available evidence. Ten prospective and seven retrospective studies evaluating HBO for DFUs were located. These were reviewed and the outcomes were discussed. One study reported no difference in outcomes between patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen and the control group. However, their regime differed from all other studies in that the patients received hyperbaric oxygen twice rather than once daily. Reduced amputation rates and improved healing were the most common outcomes observed.     

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with hyperbaric oxygen

The delivery of oxygen to the wound site is crucial in healing diabetic foot ulcers, and impairment of this process in people with diabetes leads to delayed wound repair. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by elevating the plasma oxygen level. Fibroblasts synthesise and modify collagen, and both these activities require relatively high partial pressures of oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen can promote healing by stimulating fibroblast activity and collagen formation. Increasing oxygen tensions also has a direct and toxic effect on anaerobes, therefore hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a special role in treating diabetic foot infections. Studies on hyperbaric oxygen therapy in general show it to be a beneficial adjunctive therapy for diabetic foot ulcers. However much of the work is anecdotal and more controlled trials are required.     

Diabetic foot ulcers: A devastating complication of diabetes mellitus continues non-stop in spite of new medical treatment modalities

Diabetic foot ulcer is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus and significant cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world and can be complex and costly. The development of foot ulcer in a diabetic patient has been estimated to be 19%-34% through their lifetime. The pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcer consist of neuropathy, trauma and, in many patients, additional peripheral arterial disease. In particular, diabetic neuropathy leads to foot deformity, callus formation, and insensitivity to trauma or pressure. The standard algorithms in diabetic foot ulcer management include assessing the ulcer grade classification, surgical debridement, dressing to facilitate wound healing, off-loading, vascular assessment (status and presence of a chance for interventional vascular correction), and infection and glycemic control. Although especially surgical procedures are sometimes inevitable, they are poor predictive factors for the prognosis of diabetic foot ulcer. Different novel treatment modalities such as nonsurgical debridement agents, oxygen therapies, and negative pressure wound therapy, topical drugs, cellular bioproducts, human growth factors, energy-based therapies, and systematic therapies have been available for patients with diabetic foot ulcer. However, it is uncertain whether they are effective in terms of promoting wound healing related with a limited number of randomized controlled trials. This review aims at evaluating diabetic foot ulcer with regard to all aspects. We will also focus on conventional and novel adjunctive therapy in diabetic foot management.     

Platelet-rich plasma versus platelet-poor plasma in the management of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: a comparative study

Non healing diabetic foot ulcers and the resulting potential amputations present significant costs to the health care system and reduce patient quality of life. The goal of diabetic foot ulcer treatment is to obtain wound closure as expeditiously as possible. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to enhance wound healing has increased dramatically over the last decade. However, controversies exist in the literature regarding the added benefit of this procedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of platelet releasate on the healing of chronic diabetic ulcers in comparison with platelet-poor plasma (PPP). This study included 24 patients with chronic diabetic ulcers. They were systematically randomised into two groups: PRP group (n = 12) and PPP group (n = 12). The results showed that healing in PRP group was significantly faster (P < 0·005). PRP enhances healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.