Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Negative Pressure with Locally Available Materials

Introduction: Diabetic ulcers are one of the main causes of morbidity and hospitalisation and thereby affecting the quality of life of persons suffering from the condition. The aim of the study was to assess the level of satisfaction of persons who underwent treatment for diabetic ulcers using negative pressure produced from locally available materials. Materials and Methods: Creating negative pressure using locally available materials such as sterilized foam, tubes with diameter between 0.5 and 0.8 cm, transparent adhesive plaster and a suction machine. Results: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in the current study; 70.3% (n = 26) were known diabetic patients on regular treatment while 29.7% (n = 11) were diagnosed when they presented for the first time with ulcers. Patients were made to grade their level of satisfaction with therapy involving these locally used materials. Out of the 37 patients, 35 (94.6%) stated their therapy was excellent while 1 (2.7%) said the therapy was good; therapy was discontinued in one patient (2.7%) who had some complication. Conclusion: Desirable outcomes were obtained when patients were treated using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) produced using locally manufactured materials. Patients were able to pay for the therapy since the cost was reasonably low.