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Amputations

Amputation of limb by Gersdoff (1517)

  • Approximately 5,500 performed per year in UK
  • 75% patients are older than 65 years
  • 65% patients are men
  • 70% of amputees having surgery for ischaemia are dead within 3 years

Indications

Indication percentage
Peripheral vascular disease 85%
Trauma 10%
Tumours 3%
Infection <1%

Level of amputation 

  • Influenced by:
    • Cosmetic appearance
    • Functional requirement
    • Comfort
    • Viability of soft tissues

Sites of election

  • Level of amputation influences post-operative mobility
  • 80% of below knee amputees will walk
  • Only 40% of above knee amputees walk

Lower limb amputations

  • Toe
  • Transmetatarsal
  • Syme’s
  • Below knee
  • Through knee / Gritti-Stokes
  • Above knee
  • Hindquarter

Upper limb amputations

  • Digital
  • Forearm
  • Through elbow
  • Above elbow
  • Forequarter

A left above knee amputation

A below knee amputation

Picture provided by John Byrne, Albany Medical Centre, New York, USA

Bibliography

 
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