Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes that results in significant morbidity and mortality. The standard practices in DFU management include surgical debridement, dressings to facilitate a moist wound environment and exudate control, wound off‐loading, vascular assessment, and infection and glycemic control. The objective of the present study to evaluate and compare the efficacy of conventional dressing, foam dressing and vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) in the management of DFUs. A total of 120 patients with DFU were enrolled in the study. Group I patients (n=40) were treated with conventional dressing, group II (n=40) with foam dressing, and group III (n=40) with VAC dressing. Demographic profile were analysed and relevant investigation was done. The duration of treatment, number of debridement, need for the secondary procedure, cost of treatment and duration of hospital stay were compared between the three groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean age, gender, duration of diabetes and ulcer size among the three groups (P>0.05). The majorities of the ulcers were located on the lateral malleolus among all three groups. The mean hospital stay was significantly less in VAC dressing (16.64 days) as compared to conventional dressing (30.26 days) and foam dressing group (24.37 days) (p<0.05). The mean number of debridement’s was significantly low in VAC group compared to the others (p<0.05). The healing rates among conventional, foam and VAC groups were 90%, 92.5%, and 95%, respectively (p>0.05), The mean cost of the treatment was significantly higher among VAC group then conventional or foam dressing group (p<0.05). VAC dressing is the best option amongst the available dressing modalities in terms of faster healing, required less no of debridement’s and a short hospital stay. Foam dressing does provide an economically viable option with better results than conventional dressing.
How to cite this article:
C. Kamalakkhannan, Nabeel Nazeer, G. Dhanabal and V. Pavitra. A Prospective Study on Efficacy of Various Dressings in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.3.402.406
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.3.402.406