Topical Phenytoin Application in Grade I and II Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Prospective Study

Background: India is fast becoming world diabetes capital. Diabetic foot infections are major problems among innumerable complications associated with diabetes. Material and Methods: A randomized control study was conducted to evaluate the effect of topical phenytoin on healing in diabetic foot ulcers. One hundred patients with grade I/II diabetic foot ulcers were randomly divided into two equal groups. Patients subjected to topical phenytoin dressing were classified under study and those who underwent normal salinewound dressings were classified as control. Both the groups were compared in terms of discharge, slough, wound area reduction and duration of hospital stay. Results: Discharge and slough from wound reduced significantly by day 14 in phenytoin group and within 21 days in control group. Mean duration of hospital stay in phenytoin group was 20 days, whereas in control group, it was 26 days. This difference was statistically significant (p value <0.005, df 1). Conclusion: Hence, Phenytoin proved to be useful as a topical agent in promoting healing and in controlling infections in diabetic foot ulcers.