Healing and mortality rates following toe amputation in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background and Aim: This single-centre study aimed to determine healing, re-ulceration, re-amputation and mortality rates at one year after toe amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Patients and Methods: Eighty-one participants with T2DM admitted for toe amputation were included. Patient characteristics, peripheral circulation and neuropathy status were recorded. Subjects were then followed every 3 months postamputation for a year.

Results: Overall, 59.3 % of participants underwent further surgery (n = 31 to revise the original amputation site and n = 17 to amputate a new site). During 12 months, 45.7 % of participants presented with a new ulcer at a different site. Mortality was 7.4 %. In 12.4 % of participants, the amputation site remained incompletely healed. Only 20.9 % had no complications in 12 months. At 12 months, 80.2 % of study cohort had a completely healed amputation site.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlighted high re-intervention, re-amputation and new ulceration rates. Strategies to improves these outcomes in such high-risk patients are warranted.