TREATMENT OF THE DIABETIC FOOT FROM A VASCULAR SURGEONS VIEWPOINT

Diabetic foot lesions are caused by neurologic, orthopaedic, immunolog ic, and vascular derangements. Whereas some lesions may be initially c aused by trauma and others directly caused by vascular disease, improv ement of arterial perfusion often plays an important role in the succe ssful salvage of these limbs. Fortunately, in the last several years, there has been a major improvement in the identification and treatment of those patients in whom correction of arterial occlusive disease is necessary for healing.