Somaye Pouy - PHD, instructor of Prevention of Wound, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Latif Panahi

Background: One of the most common problems in patients with diabetes mellitus is failure to heal their foot which can lead to leg amputation. Many attempts have been made to treat diabetic foot ulcers and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vacuum-Compression Therapy (VCT) on the wound healing of diabetic patients.Material and Methods: This single blind clinical trial was performed in Guilan in 2019. 20 patients with diabetic foot ulcer were studied through available sampling. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two experimental and control groups. Wound area was measured before and 3 weeks after treatment. Experimental group was treated with vacuum suction-compression system in addition to conventional treatment. The control group received only routine treatment, i.e. debridement, systemic (antibiotic) treatment, normal saline wash and daily bandage. Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-treatment data and independent t-test was used.Results: The mean area of the foot wound area in the experimental group ranged from 48.05 ± 10.3 Mm ² to 34.6 ± 4.4 Mm ² (P <0.01) and in the control group from 59.9 ± 14.4 Mm ² to 8.8 13 13.8 Mm².The decrease was 56 / mm 2 (P <0.01). The rate of healing in the control group was 6% and in the experimental group was 28.4% (P <0.05). The mean reduction in wound area after treatment was more in the experimental group than the control group (P <0.01).Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcer healing when combined with suction-compression therapy with proper care of the foot ulcer. It is recommended that patients with diabetic foot ulcers and chronic ulcers receive healing suction - compression therapy.

Vacuum-Compression Therapy (VCT), Diabetic Foot Wound, Patient