Assessment and Exploration of the Clinical Efficacy of Masquelet Technique Combined with Flap Transplantation in Treating Wagner Grade 3-4 Diabetic Foot Ulcers

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation in treating Wagner Grade 3-4 diabetic foot ulcers, a challenging condition where traditional methods have shown limited effectiveness. The innovative approach of the Masquelet technique offers new therapeutic possibilities. In this research, a randomized, controlled, double-blind design was employed, with 100 patients divided into an experimental group and a control group. The former received the Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation, while the latter underwent traditional treatment. The findings revealed that the average healing time in the experimental group was significantly reduced to 3.5 weeks (±0.5 weeks), compared to 4.0 weeks (±0.5 weeks) in the control group, marking a statistically significant difference (P=0.018). Additionally, post-treatment C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the experimental group decreased from 7.52 mg/L (±1.0 mg/L) to 2.0 mg/L (±0.5 mg/L), whereas in the control group, CRP levels fell from 7.43 mg/L (±1.0 mg/L) to 3.0 mg/L (±0.5 mg/L), with a significant difference observed between the groups (P=0.01). Regarding procalcitonin levels, both groups started with an initial level of 0.09 ng/mL, with the experimental group reducing to 0.07 ng/mL (±0.05 ng/mL) post-treatment and the control group to 0.04 ng/mL (±0.05 ng/mL). The procalcitonin levels in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P=0.04). In conclusion, the Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation significantly improves healing time and CRP levels in patients with Wagner Grade 3-4 diabetic foot ulcers, offering superior treatment outcomes compared to traditional methods.