Abstract
Introduction: During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Wars were the cause of many amputations among military and civilians. Despite the absence of armed conflict in our country, we notice a high frequency of major amputations in our activity. Objective: The aim of this work was to study the causes of major amputations observed in our practice in order to develop preventive measures. Materials and Method: This was a descriptive retrospective study over a 6-year period, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2014. The following parameters were studied: epidemiological aspects (age according to WHO age groups and gender of patients), type of amputation, level of amputation and causes. Results: Two hundred and fifty-two patients were included. The distribution of amputations by cause and age group showed two distinct entities: The forms of the young subject where there was a predominance of tumour and traumatic causes; and the forms of the elderly person caused by vascular infections and conditions. Infections were the main cause of amputation in both sexes. Conclusion: The causes of major limb amputations vary according to age and limb: tumor and trauma in young people and for the upper limb, infectious and vascular in the elderly and for the lower limb.
Highlights
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Wars were the cause of many amputations among military and civilians
Despite the absence of armed conflict in our country, we notice a high frequency of major amputations in our activity
The distribution of amputations by cause and age group showed two distinct entities: The forms of the young subject where there was a predominance of tumour and traumatic causes; and the forms of the elderly person caused by vascular infections and conditions
Summary
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Wars were the cause of many amputations among military and civilians. The following parameters were studied: epidemiological aspects (age according to WHO age groups and gender of patients), type of amputation, level of amputation and causes. Conclusion: The causes of major limb amputations vary according to age and limb: tumor and trauma in young people and for the upper limb, infectious and vascular in the elderly and for the lower limb. Performing a limb amputation is one of the least attractive gestures for a surgeon. This is because of psychological effects and the handicap it causes in a patient who has to adapt to a new way of life. Management begins with communication with the patient and their family It continues with all aspects related to amputation surgery, ending with the principles of prosthetic limb fitting. Traces of upper limb amputations have been found on skeletons dating from the prehistoric Mesolithic period, i.e. before the 9th millennium BC
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