A mouldable fibreglass backslab device as a novel approach to offload chronic plantar foot ulcers: A retrospective observational audit.

BACKGROUND: Pressure offloading is a critical component of plantar foot ulcer management, including diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU). Conventional offloading options such as total contact casting and removable knee-high walkers may be unsuitable or unsuccessful in patients with morbid obesity, intermittent lower limb oedema, high exudative wounds or poor mobility. A mouldable fibreglass backslab device (BSD) may be a practical alternative to be considered in these situations. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on 28 patients (29 foot ulcers) with non-healing ulcers who received a BSD to offload their foot ulcer as an extension to standard offloading care. Baseline data included: patient demographics, type of offloading prior to BSD application, date of ulcer onset, days ulcer present prior to BSD application and ulcer size at BSD initiation. Measures of success included ulcer size reduction 12 weeks post-BSD application, time to complete ulcer healing in BSD, time to 50% reduction in ulcer size post-BSD application and total number of days ulcer present. RESULTS: The median (IQR) ulcer area and ulcer duration at baseline for 19 patients (20 ulcers) who used the BSD was 1.65 (0.4-3.8) cm2 and 531 (101-635) days. At 12 weeks, the median (IQR) ulcer area was 0.3 (0-0.55) cm2 with a median (IQR) reduction of 97 (80-100) %. Nine (45%) ulcers achieved complete wound healing (100% reduction in wound size) at 12 weeks post-BSD application, and the remaining 11 (55%) ulcers achieved at least 50% reduction in wound size. The median (IQR) time to complete wound healing and 50% reduction in wound size was 71 (35-134) days and 24 (15-44) days, respectively. Nine patients ceased use of the BSD and reverted to conventional offloading before their wounds had healed. Of these, four patients achieved a 50% reduction in wound size at the 12-week mark with conventional offloading. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data suggests that a mouldable fibreglass BSD may be a practical offloading option in the management of DFUs, especially when conventional offloading methods are unsuccessful, unsuitable or unacceptable to patients. Higher level evidence is required to demonstrate suitability or efficacy of the BSD compared to current evidence-based recommended offloading methods.

Is TCC-EZ a Suitable Alternative to Gold Standard Total-Contact Casting?

BACKGROUND: The total-contact cast (TCC) is the gold standard for off-loading diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) given its nonremovable nature. However, this modality remains underused in clinical settings due to the time and experience required for appropriate application. The TCC-EZ is an alternative off-loading modality marketed as being nonremovable and having faster and easier application. This study aims to investigate the potential of the TCC-EZ to reduce foot plantar pressures. METHODS: Twelve healthy participants (six males, six females) were fitted with a removable cast walker, TCC, TCC-EZ, and TCC-EZ with accompanying brace removed. These off-loading modalities were tested against a control. Pedar-X technology measured peak plantar pressures in each condition. Statistical analysis of four regions of the foot (rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and hallux) was conducted with Friedman and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: All of the off-loading conditions significantly reduced pressure compared with the control, except the TCC-EZ without the brace in the hallux region. There was no statistically significant difference between TCC-EZ and TCC peak pressure in any foot region. The TCC-EZ without the brace obtained significantly higher peak pressures than with the brace. The removable cast walker produced similar peak pressure reduction in the midfoot and forefoot but significantly higher peak pressures in the rearfoot and hallux. CONCLUSIONS: The TCC-EZ is a viable alternative to the TCC. However, removal of the TCC-EZ brace results in minimal plantar pressure reduction, which might limit clinical applications of the TCC-EZ.

Subcutaneous ertapenem delivered by an Australian outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy service: a retrospective comparative efficacy study.

Subcutaneous (SC) administration of ertapenem in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) services may be a practical alternative to intravenous delivery for complicated infections. The clinical features and outcomes according to route of administration were compared from a large Australian OPAT service. Chronic renal impairment was more common in the SC group, reflecting an opportunity for route of administration as a vein preservation strategy. Adverse events were uncommon and successful outcomes were not different between the groups.