title: Major amputation in paraplegic and tetraplegic patients.
abstract: In the 1940s major amputation in paraplegic and tetraplegic patients was performed mainly for the complications of pressure sores. With the increased understanding of paraplegia, life expectancy has greatly improved, with the consequence that the chief indication for amputation is now gangrene due to atherosclerosis. The special problems of the spinal-cord-paralysed amputee are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*