A combination of ultrasonic debridement and topical cortex phellodendri compound fluid in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the combination of ultrasonic debridement and cortex phellodendri compound fluid (CPCF) in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with DFU received the combination of ultrasonic debridement and CPCF in the experimental group and Kangfuxin liquid in the control group for 4 weeks. Patients total clinical efficiency, adverse events, ulcer areas, healing rate, and positive bacterial culture rate were compared. RESULTS: The total clinical efficacy was 98% in the treatment group and 68% in the control group (P < .0001). Patients’ adverse events did not show significant difference between 2 groups. Patients who received the combination of ultrasonic debridement and CPCF in the experimental group had smaller ulcer areas (2.88 ± 0.2408 vs 6.912 ± 0.4044), higher healing rate (96.25 ± 0.5263 vs 55 ± 0.8888), and lower positive bacterial culture rate (0 vs 20%) than patients received Kangfuxin liquid in the control group after 4 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, patients with DFU receiving the combination of ultrasonic debridement and CPCF had better clinical efficacy, smaller ulcer areas, higher healing rate, and lower positive bacterial culture rate without increasing the adverse events compared to patients receiving Kangfuxin liquid.