A Two-Stage Diabetic Foot Salvage Using Synthetic Bone Void Filler and Lesser Toe Fillet Flap

Abstract

Case:A 54-year-old type 2 diabetic man with a diabetic forefoot ulcer and osteomyelitis successfully underwent a staged reconstruction to salvage his foot. An antibiotic-carrying bone void filler was used to decrease the infection burden after initial debridement. The fifth toe fillet flap was performed to cover the large soft-tissue defect. The patient returned to baseline ambulation at the 1-year follow-up with a well-incorporated flap.Conclusion:This case highlights the utility of combining an antibiotic-carrying bone void filler and a toe fillet flap in a two-stage approach to salvage complex diabetic foot ulcers.