Contemporary reconstruction of a severe neuropathic foot burn injury

The neuropathic foot in diabetic patients constitutes a special clinical entity that needs particular care and ministration. A burn on such a foot requires special care and attention in order to avoid amputation, especially when the burn is a deep partial or a full-thickness burn. The indication for early excision and coverage of a diabetic foot is taken under consideration in clinical practice. An 80-year-old male diabetic patient with deep partial and full-thickness burns on both his feet after a long hot footbath is presented. Even though feet appearance indicated the need for amputation of both feet, we performed gradual surgical debridement and primary coverage with human skin allografts. Both feet were finally covered with partial thickness skin grafts. Considering age, general condition and severity of the burn injuries, the final results were very satisfactory. We believe that the gamma-radiated allograft is another useful adjunct to the reconstructive armamentarium of the surgeon.