Abstract

Foot infections are common in patients with diabetes and are associated with high morbidity and risk of lower extremity amputation. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an innovative technique in managing complex wounds. Aim: to assess the efficacy of topical negative pressure moist wound dressings as compared to conventional moist wound dressings in improving the healing process in diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: prospective intervantional study on 30 randomly selected cases in vacuum group (TOPICAL NEGATIVE PRESSURE) and 30 patients in control group (MOIST GAUZE DRESSINGS) during the period of 2 years (July 2020– september 2022) at department of surgery JLN Hospital Ajmer. The cases in this study were patients admitted in general surgical wards, plastic surgery ward and patients with surgery reference for diabetic foot care from other departments like medicine, orthopedics in JLN HOSPITAL, AJMER. Results: 63.33% presented as ulcer in moist gauze group and in vacuum group 93.33%. 70% had no growth in moist gauze group and in vacuum group 66.67% and pseudomonas in 10% in both groups. Mean graft uptake was 68± 13.01% in moist group and 71±12.59% in vacuum group (p=0.020*). 33.33% were healed in moist gauze group whereas 66.67% were healed in vacuum group (p=0.029*). Association of both groups with granulation tissue development on each follow up was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: topical negative pressure increased the rate of formation of granulation tissue, less infection rate and had better graft uptake than the patients who underwent a conventional dressing for their ulcers.

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