A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AMPUTATION IN LOWER EXTREMITY NECROTIZING FASCITIS IN DIABETIC AND NON DIABETIC PATIENTS.

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of lower extremity necrotizing fasciitis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, with a focus on amputation rates. Methods: This prospective study included 88 patients with lower extremity necrotizing fasciitis, equally divided into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, etiological factors, microbiology, management, and outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: The mean age of participants was 49.6 ± 6.3 years, with a male predominance (56.8%). Minor trauma was the most common etiological factor (52.3%). Streptococcus pyogenes was the most frequently isolated organism (62.5%). Split-skin grafting was the primary surgical intervention (77.3%). The overall amputation rate was 10.2%, with a higher rate in diabetic patients (15.9%) compared to non-diabetic patients (4.5%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Diabetic patients showed a significantly higher incidence of blisters (15.9% vs 0%, p<0.05) and a slightly longer mean hospital stay (22.8 ± 7.6 vs 21.07 ± 8.8 days, p>0.05). Conclusion: While diabetes did not significantly affect most clinical features or outcomes of lower extremity necrotizing fasciitis, it was associated with a higher incidence of blisters and a trend towards increased amputation rates. These findings highlight the need for vigilant management of necrotizing fasciitis in diabetic patients to potentially reduce the risk of amputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]