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Surgical Treatment Principles for Diabetic Wounds Complicated by Osteomyelitis

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Abstract

Diabetes is a growing concern worldwide. One of the most devastating complications for diabetics is developing foot ulcerations, which lead to osteomyelitis and subsequent lower extremity amputations. The treatment and eradication of osteomyelitis to prevent the devastating mortality associated with lower extremity amputation, for these patients, is multifactorial. Surgical eradication of the bone and soft tissue infection followed by tissue reconstruction are cornerstone principles in limb preservation. The use of adjuvant therapies such as antibiotic-loaded cement and revascularization techniques are integrated with surgical reconstruction strategies, to aid in the goal of producing a functioning limb. Overall surgical treatment of diabetic osteomyelitis can assist in reducing the overall morbidity and mortality in this population.

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Correspondence to Lindsay Gates M.D. .

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Gates, L., Blume, P.A., Sumpio, B.E. (2015). Surgical Treatment Principles for Diabetic Wounds Complicated by Osteomyelitis. In: Boffeli, T. (eds) Osteomyelitis of the Foot and Ankle. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18926-0_10

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