[Application of lavation and drainage with continuous negative pressure in the debridement of diabetic foot complicated by plantar abscess].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of debridement at early stage by combining lavation and drainage under continuous negative pressure in the limb salvage surgery of patients suffering from diabetic foot complicated by plantar abscess.

Methods: Ten patients suffering from diabetic foot (10 feet affected) combined with plantar abscess were involved. After being debrided, wounds of patients were lavaged and drained for 7 - 14 ds under continuous negative pressure through a detained stomach tube. Suction under negative pressure continued for 3 - 5 ds after lavation, and then drainage tube was removed. Stitches on wound were removed about 3 weeks after surgery. The condition of the wounds was observed.

Results: After above-mentioned treatment, local inflammatory response of patients was obviously ameliorated, and the wounds healed with satisfactory preservation of function and shape of the feet.

Conclusions: Debridement combined with local lavation and drainage under continuous negative pressure is satisfactory for the treatment of diabetic foot complicated by plantar abscess, and it can preserve the length of the affected limb.