Abstract

Aim: To evaluate and treat the surgical complications encountered in lower limbs of patients diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus; being treated in the Department of Surgery, Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot.

Study Design: Prospective Study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical college, Sialkot from June 2016 to May 2020.

Methodology: The diabetic patients included in this study were treated and followed in Surgical Outpatient Department as well as some of them were admitted in Surgical Ward. Written consent was taken from the patients before including them in the study conducted. The patients having their lower limb affected by Diabetes Mellitus were followed from the time of presentation until 3 months after their treatment was over or their associated complications were managed. Patients of both Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Mellitus were included. The data was entered on a proforma which consisted of history, examination, investigations which included metabolic profile and blood glucose monitoring, diagnosis and treatment record.

Results: In this study, 1859 (100%) patients were enrolled, out of which 345 (18.56%) were lost to follow up and 1514 (83.23%) were included in the study.The presenting symptoms data shows that out of 811 (100%) OPD patients, 406 (50.1%) had inflammatory conditions of soft tissues, 197 (24.3%) had inflammatory conditions of musculoskeletal system, 164 (20.2%) had bone and joint pathologies, 3 (0.36%) had skeletal deformities and 41 (5.05%) had peripheral vascular disease/limb ischemia. Out of 703 (100%) patients admitted in surgical ward, 335 (47.7%) had inflammatory conditions of soft tissue, 187 (26.6%) had inflammatory conditions of musculoskeletal system, 121 (17.2%) had bone and joint pathologies, 7 (0.99%) had skeletal deformities and 53 (7.54%) had peripheral vascular disease/limb ischemia.

Conclusion: The diabetic patients suffer from a vast range of pathologies which effect lower limbs and it shares a main bulk in general surgical wards. Most of these problems need to be treated by surgical procedures while majority of such patients in outpatients department are usually managed conservatively.

Keywords: lower limb, skeletal , amputations, conservative, management