Effi ciency of Topical Phenytoin on Healing in Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: One-third of patient with diabetic seek hospital admission due to a diabetic foot ulcer. About 15% of diabetic patients will have foot amputation following diabetic ulcer. Objective: The objective of this study was carried out to assess the effi ciency of tropical application of phenytoin powder on healing in diabetic foot ulcer Category I and II. Materials and Methods: Totally, 60 patients with diabetic foot ulcer attending the Government Medical College Hospital are randomized into two groups, assigned regular saline and betadine dressing for the control group and phenytoin powder application for the study group. Patient with vascular impairment (or) uncontrolled diabetes are not included. Both the control and study group are compared for the reduction in the slough, granulating tissue formation, pain, duration of hospital stay mean surface reduction of ulcer, to assess the healing process. Results: The wound healing was assessed by the formation of granulation tissue, decrease in the slough and wound size at weekly interval. At the end of 14 days, the presence of healthy granulation tissue were markedly noted in 60% of study group with phenytoin, and it was present only in 10% of control group. Moreover, also wound reduction was 66% in the study group, and 44% in control group. Mean duration of time in the hospital is also signifi cantly reduced in phenytoin group. Pain score was also good in the study group. Conclusion: Based on this study cut come and literature review, we conclude phenytoin sodium powder tropical application on diabetic foot ulcer promotes early wound healing.