Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 25 to 70

Cruciate incision versus saucerization for draining diabetic carbuncle, both followed by vacuum-assisted closure

Official title: Comparison of Wound Healing for Diabetic Carbuncle Treated With Incision and Drainage Technique Using Cruciate Incision vs Saucerization Technique Both Followed by Vacuum Assisted Closure.

Run by King Edward Medical University · NCT07428265 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will test whether a cruciate incision or saucerization—each followed by vacuum-assisted closure (VAC)—causes less blood loss and faster healing in people aged 25–70 with diabetic carbuncles.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages25 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment124 (estimated)
SponsorKing Edward Medical University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 2, 2026
Main results expectedFebruary 28, 2026
Study endsMarch 1, 2026
Registry record updatedFebruary 23, 2026
Trial IDNCT07428265 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 25–70 with diabetes and a carbuncle requiring surgical drainage, ASA class II–III, who can tolerate VAC and provide consent are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with significant comorbidities (CKD, CLD, CVA), wounds near the anal opening or joints, or those unable to tolerate VAC are unlikely to benefit from the trial interventions.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional trial assigns adults with diabetic carbuncles to either cruciate incision and drainage or saucerization, with all participants receiving postoperative VAC therapy. Investigators will record intraoperative blood loss and measure time to complete wound healing, with wound assessments every 14 days until healed. Key exclusions include major comorbidities (CKD, CLD, CVA), wounds near the anal opening or joints, and inability to tolerate VAC. The goal is to determine which surgical approach, when combined with VAC, yields better perioperative and healing outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If one technique shows less blood loss and faster wound closure, patients could experience fewer complications, shorter healing times, and reduced hospital care.

How similar studies have gone: VAC therapy is well established for promoting wound healing, but randomized head-to-head comparisons of cruciate incision versus saucerization specifically for diabetic carbuncles are limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All patients of either gender aged 25-70 years with ASA class 2-3 presenting to the emergency department with carbuncle requiring surgical drainage

Exclusion Criteria:

* Failure to tolerate VAC
* Patient with co-morbidities like: CKD, CLD, CVA
* Patients not giving consent
* Close to the anal opening
* Wound near the joint

Where it's running

  • King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore
    Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
    Recruiting

Study contacts

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.