[Diabetic foot--uncontrollable infections despite successful revascularization]

We treated foot ulcerations in diabetics with limb-threatening ischemia using percutaneous balloon dilatation (44) and popliteodistal vein grafts (94). After revascularization, we observed in 12% an increase in the infection which necessitated major amputation despite open bypass or successful dilatation. A diabetic local immunodeficiency leads to cellular and humoral alterations which may cause severe tissue damage although the perfusion has been improved.