title: Morbid implications of above-knee amputations. Report of a series and review of the literature.
abstract: In a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients requiring above-knee amputation for arterial occlusive disease, the operative mortality was 15%. An additional 26% mortality occurred during a two-year follow-up period. Principal causes of death were sepsis in 54%, heart disease in 16%, and stroke in 11%. The poor prognosis of patients requiring amputation was related to progression of systemic diseases and to generalized debility among these patients.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000401:mortality*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications