PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mohamed E. Ahmed
AU  - Shadad M. Mahmoud
AU  - Seifeldin I. Mahadi
AU  - Abubakr H. Widatalla
AU  - Mohamed A. Shawir
AU  - Mohamed E. Ahmed
TI  - Hand sepsis in patients with diabetes mellitus
DP  - 2009 Nov 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1454--1458
VI  - 30
IP  - 11
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/30/11/1454.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/30/11/1454.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2009 Nov 01; 30
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report on the clinical presentation and possible risk factors leading to hand sepsis, amputation, management, and outcome in diabetic patients presenting to a multidisciplinary diabetic center in Khartoum, Sudan.METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study of all diabetic patients presenting with hand sepsis between September 2002 and March 2008 to Jabir Abueliz Diabetic Centre (JADC) in Khartoum, Sudan.RESULTS: A hundred and nineteen diabetic patients with hand sepsis were managed in JADC. The causative agent was unknown in 48.7%, and due to trauma in 42.9%. The most common presentation was cellulitis in 36.1% of patients and deep seated abscess in 29.5%. In 22.7% there was significant sensory neuropathy with loss of perception to 10 gm monofilament nylon. An associated foot ulcer was present in 13.4% of patients. One or more digits amputation was carried out in 17 (14.3%) of patients and hand amputation was unavoidable in 2 (1.7%). Complete healing with good function was achieved in 79%. There was no mortality in this series.CONCLUSION: Hand sepsis in diabetics is a serious complication, but with early presentation to a specialized diabetic care facility, satisfactory outcome could be achieved.