Lower Extremity Amputation for Ischemia

Abstract

Major amputations (proximal to the ankle) of the lower extremity are the manifestations of end-stage, nonreconstructable chronic arterial occlusive disease. A well-performed amputation provides the patient with the best prognosis for return to functional mobility. However, an amputation that fails to heal primarily may cause substantial physical and psychological harm to an already chronically ill patient. Minor amputations (at the toe or forefoot level) are not technically complex, but poor patient selection or technical imperfection can result in major amputation and loss of independent ambulation. In this chapter, selection of the level of amputation is reviewed; the methods to perform digital, forefoot, transtibial, and transfemoral amputations are presented; and postoperative management and potential complications are discussed. Key Words: above-the-knee amputation, below-the-knee amputation, Guillotine amputation, ray amputation, transmetatarsal amputation, transphalangeal amputation This review contains 10 figures, 1 table and 22 references