Foot problems in the diabetic transplant recipient.

Diabetic transplant recipients are at a high risk for foot pathology leading to amputation. This retrospective study from 1/85 to 2/95 examines the risk of foot complications in a population (n = 340) of diabetic renal and combined renal/pancreas transplant recipients. All groups suffered high lower extremity amputation and foot fracture rates. Patients with better circulation and protective sensation intact fared better. Smoking had a profoundly negative effect on the amputation rate as did an amputation prior to the transplant. Patients with pretransplant dialysis were at a higher risk for post-transplant amputation. Concomitant pancreas transplant did not in general significantly affect the risk of amputation or fracture. Females had almost twice the fracture rate of males.

Duke Scholars

Author Stuart Johnston Knechtle Surgery, Abdominal Transplant Surgery