Preventing Limb Loss in Diabetic Wounds with Chronic Wound Units
Ankara Training and Research Hospital is taking innovative steps to prevent limb losses in diabetic patients. According to Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Recep Pekcici, General Surgery Training Officer at the hospital, diabetes is a prevalent disease in Turkey, with approximately 9 million diabetic patients in the country.
Prof. Dr. Pekcici highlighted the fact that diabetic wounds are a result of uncontrolled diabetes and can occur anywhere on the body, most commonly affecting the feet. Contrary to popular belief, diabetes is not just a disease related to sugar metabolism, but is also a vascular disease that affects the arteries. This can lead to complications in various organs, with impaired nutrition being a critical factor. Complications such as foot embolisms can occur, leading to problematic wounds that may result in the loss of limbs.
Chronic wound units have been established in many hospitals in response to this issue, following recommendations from the Ministry of Health. These units aim to treat chronic wounds, such as diabetic wounds, without resorting to amputation. Prof. Dr. Pekcici emphasized the multidisciplinary approach used in these units to heal wounds effectively.
Treatment methods in chronic wound units include innovative approaches such as negative pressure wound treatment, hyperbaric medical units, and interventional radiology. These methods are aimed at improving blood flow to affected limbs and accelerating wound healing.
The efforts of Ankara Training and Research Hospital, along with other medical institutions in Turkey, highlight the importance of specialized care for diabetic wounds and the successful prevention of limb losses in diabetic patients.
