Role of Negative Pressure Therapy in Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Thirty patients (17 female and 13 males) with chronic diabetic foot ulceration, age ranged from 50 to 65 years (53.4+ 4.1years), were selected from outpatient clinic of Benha teaching hospitals, Egypt from April 2013 to March 2014. Aim: Foot ulceration is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetes. The aim of the current was to clarify the effectiveness of topical negative pressure as a non invasive treatment approach for diabetic ulcers. Methods: Patients were divided into two equal groups; the first group was the control group and treated by traditional dressing while the second one was treated by negative pressure. The treatment course was extended up to six weeks; dressing was changed daily for the first group and day after day for the second group. Assessment was carried out before starting the course and after six weeks of treatment for both groups. The ulcer volume assessment was done by using a 10 cm syringe filled by terramycin ointment, and the wound surface area by using a graded plastic sheet. Student t-test was used to analyze the gained data of wound volume and surface area. Results: There was a significant improvement in the wound volume and surface area in the negative pressure group than that of the control group. Conclusion: It could be concluded that topical negative pressure is an effective non-invasive method in treating chronic diabetic foot ulceration.