Approach and Means of Support for Mental Disorders Caused by the Traumatic Amputation of a Limb

Abstract

Amputation, one of the oldest types of surgery performed for therapeutic purposes, has main indication, the severe trauma to a limb that is incompatible to preserve because of the irreversible ischemia. The loss of a limb due to trauma has also a devastating emotional impact on a patient, escalating to genuine mental disorders that stretch out further than the loss of the limb itself produces. Thus, there is a certain sequential order regarding risk for developing mental disorders, starting from the immediate reaction, the acute stress disorder, and ending with the post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety that is mostly related to one's perceived image, which further aggravates their disability. The present paper aims to realize a synthesis of the emotional elements that can intensify up to mental disorders; by understanding the impact of squeal produced by the amputation, we can actually improve the multidisciplinary approach before and after surgery for the patient that suffered an amputation.