Outcome of Vinegar versus Normal Saline Dressing in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of vinegar compared to normal saline dressings in diabetic foot ulcers in terms of rate of negative cultures, change in necrotic material amount and change in wound surface area.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Jinnah Hospital Lahore from 1st July 2025 to 31st December 2025.

Methods: Eighty-four patients aged 20 to 65 years of both genders having Wagner grade 3 and 4 diabetic foot ulcers were randomized through lottery method for one of treatment. In Group A normal saline dressings were started in wet to dry manner and in Group B vinegar dressings were done in wet to dry manner. Data was entered in SPSS version 22.0 and analyzed. Frequency and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables like gender, rate of negative of wound cultures.

Results: The baseline characteristics of patients were comparable in both groups. The wound size was decrease lesser in normal saline group to 2.76±0.83 while in vinegar group it decreased to 1.36±0.84. The necrotic wound size was decrease lesser in normal saline group to 1.09±0.60 while in vinegar group it decreased to 0.25±0.35. The results were statistically significant (p<0.001). Almost 95% of infections got cleared by vinegar while 76% infections were cleared by normal saline at 8 weeks (p=0.013).

Conclusion: Vinegar dressing is better than normal saline dressing for diabetic foot ulcers for decreasing size of wound, necrotic material as well as infection rate.