HanoiMeritorious Artist Bang Thai, 72 years old, suffered from diabetic necrosis of his right foot and had half of his foot amputated by a surgeon to preserve as much of his ability to walk as possible.
Meritorious Artist Bang Thai, former director of Quang Ninh Drama Theater, brother of singer Bang Kieu, has had diabetes for more than 10 years. The disease progresses seriously with many dangerous complications. For the past two years, he has only stayed in bed, sedentary, and had no outside contact. Peripheral nerve complications and peripheral artery disease caused numbness, burning sensation in both feet, and prolonged chronic pain, causing him frequent insomnia.
About 3 months ago, a necrotic ulcer appeared on his right leg. The ulcer starts in the toenail and spreads to the toe. He had to have a toe amputated, but the wound took a long time to heal, signs of necrosis reappeared and spread more and more. He went to Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi for examination with high blood sugar, black necrotic feet and a rotten smell.
On April 23, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hung, Deputy Head of the Department of Cardiology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that this is a difficult and complicated case. The patient is elderly, causing twisted blood vessels, atherosclerosis and calcification. It is so widespread that intervention is very difficult. Due to the late stage of examination, the toe was infected with necrosis. If not treated early, the patient is at high risk of infection spreading throughout the body. In addition, if there is no good revascularization, even if the foot is further amputated, the wound will not heal.
A multi-specialty group of podiatrists consult to find the optimal method to treat the patient. The podiatrist debrided the wound to prevent progressive necrosis, then the interventional cardiologist placed a stent to revascularize the right leg. The orthopedic surgeon amputated half of the right foot to remove necrosis.
Dr. Le Ba Ngoc, Head of the Department of General Internal Medicine, said doctors try to preserve the patient’s legs as much as possible. After the leg is revascularized, the patient does not need to amputate the entire leg, but only half of the foot. Instead of using prosthetic legs or wheelchairs, patients can move with their own legs.
After surgery, Mr. Thai had much less pain and was able to sleep fully for many years, thanks to which his diabetes was also well controlled. He continued to treat his diabetes, and at the same time, a psychologist supported him in overcoming depression caused by his illness.
Mr. Thai has a habit of smoking and drinking 3-4 cans of soft drinks every day. Dr. Ngoc recommends that patients follow the treatment regimen, quit smoking and carbonated soft drinks, and moisturize their feet to maintain blood sugar and prevent recurrence of arterial disease. Patients should eat moderate amounts of carbohydrates, enough protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals to help the body stay healthy and increase resistance against disease.
Patients with diabetic foot complications like Mr. Thai are quite common, mainly the elderly and people over 45 years old. Necrotizing infection requiring amputation is one of the most serious injuries of diabetes. Many patients experience peripheral nerve complications such as loss of sensation. The clinical symptoms of foot disease are obscure, so when detected, the infection is severe. Doctors recommend that people in groups with risk factors, especially the elderly, should be screened periodically for the disease.
Meritorious Artist Nguyen Bang Thai started his career as an actor, then participated in composing, directing, managing and organizing performances. To date, he has about 20 works of art.