RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hand sepsis in patients with diabetes mellitus
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1454
OP 1458
VO 30
IS 11
A1 Mohamed E. Ahmed
A1 Shadad M. Mahmoud
A1 Seifeldin I. Mahadi
A1 Abubakr H. Widatalla
A1 Mohamed A. Shawir
A1 Mohamed E. Ahmed
YR 2009
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/30/11/1454.abstract
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.