Use of a Novel Adhesive Suture Retention Device in Non-traumatic Diabetic Lower Extremity Amputations: A Multicenter...

Amputations in the diabetic foot are commonly associated with complications, including delayed wound healing, surgical site dehiscence, and the need for additional amputations. Use of a novel adhesive suture retention device (ASRD) has been previously shown to support improved linear closure outcomes. The purpose of this retrospective case review was to determine if the adoption of the ASRD in 5 podiatric surgical practices would reduce postoperative complications in patients with diabetes undergoing foot amputations including surgical site dehiscence and the need for additional amputation.

A 5-center retrospective chart review was performed to assess the difference in postoperative surgical site dehiscence and reamputation rates for patients with diabetes undergoing minor and major lower extremity amputations before and after adopting the use of the ARSD.

Adoption of the adhesive retention suture device was associated with an overall decrease in wound dehiscence of 81% (P < .01). Additionally, there was an 89% reduction in progression to higher level amputation in the ARSD cohort (P = .015).

Utilization of the ARSD decreased the incidence of postoperative wound dehiscence and reamputation in this patient cohort, thus lessening patient morbidity and decreasing the overall cost of care.