Economic Impact of Managing Acute Diabetic Foot Infection in a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

Diabetic foot disease is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations of the lower limb, hence a major health care and socioeconomic burden. It has been found that most of the costs occur in the inpatient setting; therefore this study is to quantify the costs of managing inpatient diabetic foot infections (DFI). We treated 182 inpatients from May 2012 till April 2013 and analysed the cost of antibiotic usage, wound dressing, surgical procedure, admission and basic investigation costs. The total cost was ~ USD 11,000 (2013). This number, however, only reflects the cost for managing an acute infection. The price for follow-up care as an outpatient, rehabilitation and indirect costs (emotional suffering, reduced productivity) is estimated to be much more.

‘Does the National Antibiotic Guideline- 2008 remain applicable for treating diabetic foot infection?’ A new evidence-based regional study on culture and sensitivity patterns in Terengganu population

Diabetic foot infections make up a significant number of orthopaedic ward admissions. The recommended choice of empirical antibiotics used in Malaysia for diabetic foot infections is based on the National Antibiotic Guidelines 2008. The pattern of bacteriology and the effectiveness of the treatment of diabetic foot infections based on this guideline were analyzed through a retrospective study in our hospital. Data over a period of one year (May 2012- April 2013) was analyzed, and 96 patients were included in this study. Polymicrobial growth (58%) was mainly isolated, followed with an almost equal percentage of gram-negative (22%) and gram-positive organisms (20%). The empirical antibiotics based on the national antibiotic guidelines were used as definitive antibiotics in 85% of the cases. Although there was slight variation in the pattern of organisms as compared to other studies conducted in this country, the high rate of positive clinical response proved that the antibiotic guideline was still effective in diabetic foot infection treatment.

Is A New Combination of Tendon Transfers For Radial Nerve Palsy (RNP) Needed?

Radial nerve palsy following traumatic humeral diaphyseal fractures occurs uncommonly. Most recover with good outcome. However the cases with poor outcome or recovery will have tendon transfers to regain the lost functions. Various tendon transfer methods and choices are available in literatures citing acceptable to good results. We report a case of radial nerve transection secondary to a closed traumatic diaphyseal fracture of the humerus which did not improve despite the repair. As many conventional technique produce asynergistic muscle action with secondary post-transfer deformity, thus we had resorted to tendon transfer procedure using an unconventional donor and recipient tendons yielding good results. This new combination of tendon transfers was invented involves better dynamic correlation of synergistic muscles action and produces good outcome and hand function.