Surgical Strategies and Outcomes in Managing Diabetic Hand Infections – A Case Series

Abstract

Hand infections in diabetics are less reported and underestimated therefore, there is a significant morbidity and disability among the diabetic population. Infections of the foot in diabetics are well studied and understood, but there is limited literature on hand infections. Diabetic hand infections progress rapidly, with severe destruction of the tissue. Most of these patients have poor control of diabetes. If these infections are not controlled at the earliest, it will lead to complications like tissue loss, amputations, septicemia, and loss of hand function. Good sugar control, immediate and effective surgical debridement and specific antibiotic therapy are the most important considerations when treating hand infections in diabetics. We studied patients with diabetic hand infections admitted at our tertiary care center retrospectively for the factors like the onset of infection, glycemic control, microbiology and surgical procedures.