MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT BY NATURAL HONEY
Abstract
Background: Many studies have demonstrated that honey has antibacterial activity in vitro, and asmall number of clinical case studies have shown that application of honey to severely infectedcutaneous wounds is capable of clearing infection from the wound and improving tissue healing.Research has also indicated that honey may possess anti-inflammatory activity and stimulateimmune responses within a wound. The overall effect is to reduce infection and to enhance woundhealing in burns, ulcers, and other cutaneous wounds. The objective of the study was to find out theresults of topical wound dressings in diabetic wounds with natural honey. Methods: The study wasconducted at department of Orthopaedics, Unit-1, Liaquat University of Medical and HealthSciences, Jamshoro from July 2006 to June 2007. Study design was experimental. The inclusioncriteria were patients of either gender with any age group having diabetic foot Wagner type I, II, IIIand IV. The exclusion criteria were patients not willing for studies and who needed urgentamputation due to deteriorating illness. Initially all wounds were washed thoroughly and necrotictissues removed and dressings with honey were applied and continued up to healing of wounds.Results: Total number of patients was 12 (14 feet). There were 8 males (66.67%) and 4 females(33.33%), 2 cases (16.67%) were presented with bilateral diabetic feet. The age range was 35 to 65years (46±9.07 years). Amputations of big toe in 3 patients (25%), second and third toe ray in 2patients (16.67%) and of fourth and fifth toes at the level of metatarsophalengeal joints were done in3 patients (25%). One patient (8.33%) had below knee amputation. Conclusion: In our study weobserved excellent results in treating diabetic wounds with dressings soaked with natural honey. Thedisability of diabetic foot patients was minimized by decreasing the rate of leg or foot amputationsand thus enhancing the quality and productivity of individual life.Keywords: Diabetic Foot, Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Natural HoneyReferences
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