Results of minor foot amputations in diabetic mellitus

The aim of this retrospective study is to study the outcome of surgery in diabetic patients with foot infections. The results of 54 local amputations performed by surgeons of different levels of experience for gangrene and/or deep infection confined to the toes in diabetic patients were studied. Failure of surgery is defined as any case that requires subsequent surgery. Twenty-two of the initial local amputations subsequently required higher amputations. The majority of these cases that failed were done by junior officers of Medical Officer and Registrar grade. In contrast, the cases done by senior surgeons are more likely to heal. Fifty-six percent of the initial operations done by Medical Officers failed. A similar pattern is also seen in repeat operations done by junior officers. Based on our findings, it is recommended that the decision making must be made by senior staff of at least Registrar grade. Repeat surgery should also be done by senior staff. Finally, continued training and supervision of junior staff are necessary to improve their technical expertise, judgment and knowledge.