Introduction: Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a common cause of morbidity in India and is estimated to affect 15% of all diabetic individuals during their life time. Its prevalence in clinical population is 3.61% and precedes almost 85% of amputation. Though many modalities of dressing have been described for such patients but they are quite costly for patients coming to our setup.

Aims & Objectives

• To evaluate the effectiveness of phenytoin as methods of dressing in treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer.
• To compare the results of topical phenytoin dressing v/s conventional dressing using Eusol & Betadine (povidone iodine )

Material & Methodology: 50 patients were taken in study & randomly divided into two groups of equal size with ulcer size (<5% TBSA) and depth (TEXAS grade 1) as the only selection criteria. Group I was treated with topical phenytoin 20mg/cm² and Group II with conventional dressing of eusol and povidone iodine.

Daily dressing with oral antibiotics was given in both groups.

Parameters studies were:

a) Presence of Healthy Granulation Tissue (HGT) on Day14.

b) Mean Reduction in Percentage of Ulcer Area on Day 7 & Day 14.

c) > 50% reduction of ulcer area on Day 14.

Observation: In our study we found that there was a significant difference between the two groups in all three parameters we studies in favor of study group.

Presence of HGT on Day14:  86.95 % v/s 48% (p= 0.004)

Mean Reduction in ulcer area on day 7 &14: 41.38 & 68.17 v/s 24.56 & 47.85

 (p < 0.001)

>50% reduction in ulcer area on Day 14: 62% v/s 38% (p= 0.004).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that Phenytoin for healing of DFU is an acceptable alternative to conventional method. It is safe, easily available, easy to apply and in expensive.

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A. Silodia

Associate Professor