Abstract
Introduction
Lower limb amputation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Reflecting the predominance of vascular or diabetic disease as a cause for lower limb amputation, much of the available literature excludes lower limb amputation secondary to trauma in the reporting of complication rates. This paucity in the literature represents a research gap in describing the incidence of complications in lower limb amputation due to trauma, which we aim to address.
Materials and Methods
Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of all traumatic lower limb amputations secondary to trauma from a regional multidisciplinary amputee service at Queen Mary's Hospital. Electronic patient records and paper notes were consulted for evidence of re-operation, infection (superficial or deep), phantom limb pain and neuroma. 222 patients were screened and 108 included in the data analysis.
Results
Records identified 108 lower limb amputations secondary to trauma in 99 patients with a mean age of 34 years (at time of amputation). Average follow-up was 225 months. 33.6% of patients underwent re-operation, 25.2% had at least one episode of infection. Of those who underwent re-operation, 47.2% had evidence of infection. 42% and 3.7% of patients described phantom limb pain and neuroma respectively.
Conclusions
Lower limb amputations secondary to trauma exhibit higher rates of re-operation and infection compared to vascular or diabetic amputees. This first study to provide high quality data describing the incidence of complications such as re-operation, infection, phantom limb pain and neuroma in lower limb amputations secondary to trauma.
