Lower extremity diabetic surgical complications in Yaounde - Cameroon.

Objective : This study was carried out to determine the epidemiological, clinical and evolutional aspects of lower extremity diabetic surgery in a surgical service in Yaounde. Patients and methods: We carried out an analysis of the files of 62 patients admitted for surgery of diabetic surgical complications of the lower extremity between January 2000 and December 2008. Results: Most of the patients admitted 25 (40,32%) were of the 41 – 50 years age group, 38 patients (61.29%) were males. Clinically, 23 patients (37.09%) were admitted for myositis, 17 (27.42%) for diabetic foot, 13 (20.96%) for mal perforant, and 9 (14.52%) for necrotizing fasciitis. Five patients (7%) died. There were 7 leg amputations, and in one case, it was bilateral leg amputation. Conclusion: Health care providers to diabetics should take every opportunity to review the risk factors of diabetic surgical complications of the lower extremity of their patients and provide adequate education and measures when indicated to middle aged and older adults.