This study describes 49 young amputees who either have attended or have been operated at the Orthopaedic Department of Dodoma Regional Hospital from 1983 to 1991. Emphasis has been put on the aetiological factors of 56 amputations under review, underlying those that are typical of the Least Developed Countries in Africa and highlighting how they interrelate with the beliefs and traditions of the African society. Apart from 14 amputations performed for trauma of different type, important roles were played by home environment, tumours, wild animal bites and the health system itself. Nine amputations have been carried out for burns, while complications after medical care, particularly operative, have called for 12 amputations. Bone tumours have been responsible for eight and hyena assaults and snake bites have resulted in seven amputations. Special interest has been raised by four amputations performed for the so-called 'idiopathic tropical lower limbs gangrene' whose aetiology is still unknown.

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