THE TREATMENT APPROACHES IN DIABETIC FOOT AND THE ROLE OF WAGNER CLASSIFICATION IN THE GUIDANCE OF TREATMENT

Aim: Diabetic foot infections are responsible from the 2/3 of the lower extremity amputations. The cost of diabetic foot ulcers is significantly high for the society. The aim of the present study was to select the best treatment module by performing the staging of the foot problems in diabetic patients, and decrease the rate of amputation which is a traumatic procedure that decrease the quality of life, and the mental health of the patient. Methods: Fourty-nine patients diagnosed as having diabetic foot who presented to the General Surgery Clinic of xxxxxxx were included in the study. Results: Thirty patients (61.2%) out of 49 were men, and 19 (38.8%) were mean. The mean age was 61.4 years (ranging, 39-80 years). All patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The evaluation in accordance with the Wagner classification showed that 4 (8.25%) patients were in Group 1, 19 (38,7%) were in Group 2, 13 patients (26.5%) were in Group 3, 9 (18.3%) were in Group 4, and 4 (8.5%) patients were in Group 5. No significant difference was detected between the Wagner classification, and amputations with the age, sex, fasting blood glucose, urea, creatinine levels. Conclusion: Diabetic foot infections are significant health problems which resulted with economic, and social burden because the complications are severe, and resulted with amputation and even with mortality. Therefore, the prevention of the occurrence of diabetic foot is important for the social and economic perspective.The identification of the risk factors of the disease, and educating the patients who are under risk are required. Amputation rates may be decreased with the initiation of the adequate treatment in proper time with the attentive approach of the physicians who are informed of the risk factors. The treatment of the diabetic foot infections may be accomplished, and the amputation rates may be decreased with a multidisciplinary approach