Abstract
Gangrene is one of the most serious complications in diabetic patients. We report a 58-year-old male undergoing hemodialysis with a 20-year history of diabetes who suffered gangrene of the tip of his left fourth finger after amputation of both lower extremities. Not only arteriosclerosis due to end-stage renal disease and long-standing diabetes but arteriovenous fistula steal effects were thought to be responsible for the fingertip gangrene. In this case, the gangrene healed successfully after 10 months of conservative treatment including intravenous administration of prostagrandin E1.
Intensive attention should be paid for preventing gangrene of upper extremity as well as lower extremity in diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.
