system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 45-year-old man presents to the surgery clinic with an ulcer on his left heel, which he first noticed a week ago. He was surprised by the large size of the ulcer since because he had never noticed it before, and it was asymptomatic. The man also noticed fluid oozing out of the ulcer, which he has been wiping off with a clean cloth. He has had diabetes mellitus for the past 10 years and hypertension for the past 8 years. His medications include metformin and enalapril, although he tends to not take them as directed. His vital signs are normal. Examination of his left foot reveals a 3 cm x 3 cm ulcer with an irregular border and clear fluid over the base with erythema in the surrounding skin. An image of the lesion is taken and shown below. Laboratory investigations reveal the following:
Capillary blood glucose (CBG) 340 mg/dL
Hemoglobin (Hb%) 9.8 mg/dL
White blood cell count (WBC) 16,000/mm3
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 34 mm in the 1st hour
The physician recommends wound debridement and prescribes an antibiotic for 1 week. The patient is also told to control his blood sugar by taking his medications regularly and paying better attention to his diet. He is also advised to change his dressing daily for the next 7 days. After 1 week, the patient’s ulcer begins to heal. Which of the following best describes the healing process of this patient’s lesion?
assistant
A greater volume of granulation tissue is formed during healing by secondary intention, which results in a larger scar followed by wound contraction.