Amputation Stumps clinical trials

Phototherapy in DM Amputation Ulcers.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem and it is estimated that 300 million individuals will be affected by the year 2030. Non-diabetic ulcers are one of the most frequent complications of this disease and, if untreated, can lead to the amputation of lower limbs. Thus, there has been growing interest in the use of light emitting diode (LED) devices to accelerate the tissue repair process and lower the cost of ulcer treatment in this population. The Mandaqui hospital complex is a general, tertiary, teaching hospital that is a reference center for revascularization surgery and endovascular treatment in Brazil. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the action of LED therapy on the complete healing of ulcers following minor amputations in patients with Diabetes mellitus. Methods: A single-center, randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial with two parallel groups will be conducted following the criteria of the CONSORT Statement. The project will be registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov. The sample will be composed of 40 patients with a diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus in follow up at the vascular clinic of Mandaqui hospital complex who meet the inclusion criteria. The control group (n = 20) will receive traditional rayon bandages with essential fatty acids and secondary coverage with gauze, which will be changed on a weekly basis. The treatment group (n = 20) will be submitted to LED therapy (635 nm; 4 J/cm2; 10 minutes) with weekly applications and the ulcers will also receive the traditional bandage treatment described above. The patients will be followed up until the complete closure of the ulcer, which will be the primary outcome. The ulcers will be examined on a weekly basis by a researcher with no awareness regarding the allocation of the individuals to the different groups and will assess, signs of infection, edema, redness, heat and the presence of gangrene. Photographs of the ulcers will also be taken for the subsequent determination of the area. Another researcher with no knowledge regarding the allocation of the participants will measure the surface of the ulcers with the aid of the ImageJ software program. The data will be submitted to appropriate statistical analyses. After closure of the ulcers, the patients will be followed up for a period of six months.