Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy and vascular insufficiency can cause gangrene and skin ulcers of the foot, and concomitant infectious disorders often necessitate lower extremity amputation. While progress in the medical treatment of diabetes has improved the prognosis of diabetic patients, the problems associated with diabetic foot require highlighting.
In Japan, with lifestyle-associated diseases on the rise, diabetic gangrene of the foot will likely be encountered with increasing frequency. We will also likely see increased incidence of related diseases such as ischemic heart disease and brain infarction. In patients with vascular insufficiency, these diseases have poor prognosis.
We, as plastic surgeons, describe in this report the problem of diabetic foot disease and lower extremity amputation, as well as the decision making process in lower extremity amputation.
