Minimally Invasive Drainage for Diabetic Foot Phlegmon

Area of Science:

• Podiatry
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Deep diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and infections (DFIs) require debridement, antibiotics, and drainage.
• Traditional surgical drainage can lead to extensive incisions, scarring, and impaired rehabilitation.
• Exudate stasis negatively impacts DFU and DFI healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an easy, minimally invasive surgical drainage technique for DFUs and DFIs.
• To enable adequate ulcer cleansing through daily irrigation of the drained tract.
• To mitigate the negative effects of stasis on wound healing.

Main Methods:

• A probe is inserted into the ulcer's recesses and used to guide a small silastic tube through the skin.
• The tube is secured and tied to form an ulcer-piercing drainage (UPD) ring.
• The UPD ring maintains tract patency for daily irrigation via syringe.

Main Results:

• The UPD procedure is demonstrated to be easy and safe.
• The UPD ring design prevents displacement or accidental removal, suitable for home caregivers.
• UPD and irrigation effectively cleanse ulcer recesses, reducing bioburden and bacterial load.

Conclusions:

• The UPD technique offers a less invasive alternative to extended surgical incisions for DFUs and DFIs.
• This method may prevent long scars, inadequate rehabilitation, relapses, and distal amputations.
• UPD facilitates essential wound cleansing, promoting better healing outcomes.