Wound healing complications following major amputations of the lower limb

Abstract

A series of 320 amputations was analyzed with regard to wound healing complications and re-amputation rates. Among 111 AK amputations complications in wound healing were encountered in 14 per cent (15/111) of the cases, leading to re-amputation in 2 per cent (2/111). TK amputations were followed by wound healing problems in 30 per cent (20/66) of the cases with re-amputation in 20 per cent (13/66) at AK level, as compared to 40 per cent (57/143) with wound healing complications and 20 per cent (28/143) re-amputations in BK-amputees. As failure of BK amputation leads to re-amputation at AK level it is recommended that the TK level be selected in doubtful cases.

Success rate of prosthetic fitting after major amputations of the lower limb

“…Gangrene of the lower limb with major amputation is often followed by a high primary mortality (Jensen, 1982) due to the generalized toxic physiological effect and many amputations are consequently undertaken as life saving procedures. This is especially the case among patients who are already in need of long-term nursing care.…”

Lower limb amputations

“…Partial foot amputations represented almost 20% of the amputations, which agrees with the official amputation register in Sweden and Denmark (Ebskov, 1991;Larsson and Apelqvist, 1995) and a Finish study (Pohjalainen and Alaranta, 1999). Knee disarticulation is more frequent in this study than in other studies (Jensen et al, 1982;Ebskov, 1991;Ebskov, 1992;Wahlberg et al, 1994;Ebskov et al, 1994;Larsson et al, 1998). In many studies of lower limb amputations, knee disarticulation is not included at all (Larsson and Risberg, 1988;Eneroth and Persson, 1992;Siitonen*tf a/., 1993;Armstrong et al, 1997;Pohjolainen and Alaranta, 1999).…”

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Lower Limb Amputation Patients - A Case Control Trial

“…Another study by Jensen et al in 1982 demonstrated 14% of above knee amputation patients suffered from wound complications, with 2% leading to further re-amputation. Comparatively, the same study showed that 40% of below knee amputation patients had wound complications, of which 28% required further re-amputation [14].…”

“…Wound complications can incur an increase in healthcare expenditure in a multitude of modes; increased hospital stay, usage of antibiotics, and wound breakdown leading to secondary surgical intervention and revisions. [13,14,28] In 2005, Ploeg et al investigated morbidity and mortality following lower limb amputation. This investigation found that wound infection was the most common complication in below knee amputations (10.4%) [28].…”