title: A plaster-pylon technique for below-knee amputation.
abstract: We reviewed 83 patients after below-knee amputation. In 56 with 69 amputations early management was by plaster-pylon. A plaster cast is applied in the operating room, and a pylon added one week later, after which full weight-bearing is allowed. We compared these patients with 27 who had soft bandaging. The 'healing' time was reduced from 98 days to 40 days, and there were no major complications in the plaster-pylon group. The technique is simple and cheap and can be used by paramedical staff without specialised training or equipment.
authors.affiliation: Toronto East General Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lexier
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McPolin
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies