Think Before Chopping a Diabetic Foot: Insight to Vascular Intervention

Diabetes mellitus is a most commonly occurring chronic disease around the world, resulting in damage to multiple organs. One of the consequences of poorly controlled diabetes is vascular damage resulting in peripheral artery disease, leading to inadequate perfusion of the foot and eventually gangrene and amputation. Research over the past decade or so has provided us with the statistics that vascular intervention has better clinical outcomes including patient mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. This editorial advocates the importance of pursuing a vascular plan prior to a limb salvaging procedure. We highlight some important aspects of saving a diabetic foot and encourage the importance of giving a vascular trial.