The role of plastic and reconstructive surgery within an interdisciplinary treatment concept for diabetic ulcers of the foot

Background and objective: Diabetes mellitus and its sequelae such as the ,,diabetic foot" are increasing in incidence and pose a challenging medical and financial problem. Interdisciplinary teams have been formed to prevent and treat these problems, consisting of diabetic nurses and physicians, nutritionists, podiatrists, specialist shoemakers, general, orthopaedic and vascular surgeons. However, hardly mentioned in the literature are the surgical options offered by plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of plastic surgical treatment for soft tissue defect coverage of the diabetic foot ulcer and to define the role of plastic and reconstructive surgery within an interdisciplinary treatment concept. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study the charts of 38 diabetic patients (female n = 14/male n = 24) with an average age of 68.6 years and with 45 defects on the foot or ankle were analysed regarding the patient profile, defect etiology and size, operative procedures, complications and outcome results. Results: Defect coverage was performed using 20 split skin grafts, 19 local flaps and 6 free flaps as well as 27 amputations. At the time of discharge 25 of 45 defects were closed (56%), 15 patients had an amputation and in 3 cases a small defect remained. The success rate of defect coverage decreased with increasing comorbidity. Whereas 71% of the defects were covererd in ASA stage 2 patients, only 50% of the defects could be covered in ASA stage 3 patients and only 33% in ASA stage 4 patients. Conclusions: Despite a high complication rate, plastic surgical techniques in many cases prevented an amputation in this negatively preselected patient group. These results provide justification for plastic and reconstructive surgery. being in any case part of an interdisciplinary treatment approach of the diabetic ulcer.