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. 1997 Sep;122(3):546-7.
doi: 10.1016/s0039-6060(97)90126-4.

Toe amputation in the diabetic patient

M D Kerstein  1 , V Welter, V Gahtan, A B Roberts
Affiliations

Toe amputation in the diabetic patient

M D Kerstein et al. Surgery. 1997 Sep.

Abstract

Background: We considered whether it is more practical to amputate the toe of a diabetic patient with osteomyelitis and good circulation or to treat the patient with antibiotics for a prolonged period.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study of 141 diabetic patients who had undergone a toe-ray amputation for proven or documented osteomyelitis.

Results: The mean ankle/brachial index of all patients was 0.81 (range, 0.68 to 1.14); the mean functional days lost on antibiotic therapy was 39 (range, 7 to 84 days). The cost of 6 to 8 weeks of preoperative antibiotic therapy was $900 to $2240 (mean, $1440).

Conclusions: Diabetic patients with good circulation and osteomyelitis of the toe may benefit from prompt toe amputation.

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