Recommendations for management of diabetic foot ulcers during COVID-19 outbreak

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgery

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic poses risks to patients and healthcare workers.
• Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are severe diabetes complications often requiring urgent surgery.
• Elderly patients and those with comorbidities face higher risks from COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a management algorithm for COVID-19 screening in DFU patients undergoing urgent surgery.
• To prevent complications for patients and protect healthcare teams during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical guidelines.
• Development of a preoperative screening protocol for DFU patients.
• Recommendation of thorax computed tomography (CT) for COVID-19 detection.

Main Results:

• A management algorithm integrating COVID-19 screening into DFU surgical care.
• Thorax CT identified undiagnosed COVID-19 in patients needing urgent surgery.
• The protocol aims to safeguard surgical and anesthesiology teams.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative thorax CT screening is crucial for DFU patients with severe infections requiring urgent surgery.
• This approach aids in early COVID-19 detection and patient management.
• Implementing this algorithm protects healthcare professionals and optimizes patient outcomes.