Pentoxifylline: a new armamentarium in diabetic foot ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers are estimated to affect 15% of all diabetics and precede almost 85% of foot amputations. Pentoxyfylline a substituted xanthenes' derivative has been reported to increase the blood flow to the microcirculation and enhances tissue oxygenation. It has been widely used in the treatment of intermittent claudication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pentoxyfylline is known to decrease the rouleaux formation of RBC and hence helps in improving the microcirculation. Out of 67 patients 30 received pentoxyfylline and 32 were on traditional treatment and there was loss of follow-up in five cases. The response was observed subjectively, histologically and by Doppler studies.

RESULTS: It was observed that the patients on pentoxyfylline had early healing as compared to patients receiving only conventional treatment as evident on biopsy and Doppler.

CONCLUSION: Here in this research our objective was to determine whether pentoxyfylline (trental 400 mg) taken orally TDS in addition to ambulatory compression bandages and dressings improves the healing rates of diabetic ulcers.