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Presentation Description
Institution: The Canberra Hospital - ACT, Australia
Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a significant complication of diabetes mellitus, often leading to prolonged morbidity and increased risk of amputation. The management of DFUs remains challenging, necessitating innovative approaches to enhance healing.
Aim: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a biodegradable temporising matrix (BTM) in treating DFUs at The Canberra Hospital.
Methods: This is a pilot of a single-centre, retrospective observational study, examining patient records from January 2023 to current. The study included patients with DFUs treated with BTM at the Canberra Hospital Vascular surgery department. Key outcome measures were complete wound closure, time to complete healing, and incidence of infection or other complications.
Results: As the data collection remains ongoing, 4 patients were chosen to explore in this pilot study. 3 out of 4 patients achieved complete wound closure. Infection occurred in half of the patients, however, this required removal of the BTM and further minor amputation in only one patient. These findings suggest that BTM significantly enhances the healing process in DFUs, reducing the overall treatment time and improving clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: The use of a BTM in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers demonstrates promising results. This study underscores the potential of BTM as a viable and effective option in the management of DFUs, contributing to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare burden. Further research and randomised controlled trials are recommended to validate these findings and explore the broader applicability of BTM in wound care management.