ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Chirurgia 2008 December;21(6):311-4

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Frequency Rhythmic Electrical Modulation System in the treatment of diabetic ulcers. Preliminary encouraging report

Margara A., Boriani F., Obbialero F. D., Bocchiotti M. A.

Department of Plastic Surgery University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Aim. Skin ulcers often accompany neuropathy and vascular compromise in what is known as diabetic foot. In the literature no mention of electric stimulation is given in the guidelines for diabetic foot management, usually consisting of wound dressing and, if necessary, reconstructive surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Frequency Rhythmic Electrical Modulation System (FREMS) in association with the traditional treatment of diabetic foot.
Methods. Thirty patients suffering from diabetic foot were divided into 2 groups. Group A (16 patients) was treated with FREMS in association with classical therapy, whereas group B (14 patients) underwent only the traditional treatment, consisting of wound dressing. Ulcer size was measured three times during a two-month observation period.
Results. The wound shrinking rate was significantly higher in group A, at least at first and second measurement (P<0.05).
Conclusion. Even though the number of patients studied is limited, FREMS has shown to be of some benefit in the treatment of diabetic foot. This therapy accelerates wound healing and reduces pain associated both to ulcers and to diabetic neuropathy. If the clinical findings reported by the authors are confirmed by studies on larger series of patients, FREMS can be proposed as a useful device to combine with classical treatment of diabetic foot.