Quality of life following infragenicular bypass and lower limb amputation.
OBJECTIVE
To objectively assess the quality of life after femorodistal bypass and compare this to quality of life achieved following primary limb amputation.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K., 1988-1993.


METHODS
A self-assessment postal questionnaire containing scales measuring emotional disorder, social functioning and mobility was sent to 112 patients who had previously undergone femorodistal bypass (n = 86) or primary limb amputation (n = 26).


RESULTS
Further analysis demonstrated that a secondary procedure (PTA or graft revision) to maintain graft patency did not adversely affect quality of life. Additionally, patients undergoing secondary amputation after graft failure had an identical quality of life to those undergoing primary amputation.


CONCLUSIONS
These data illustrate that the quality of life after successful femorodistal bypass is higher than after primary or secondary amputation. To attain the maximum quality of life in patients with critical ischaemia, femorodistal bypass should be performed wherever feasible.
Thompson
M M
MM
Department of Surgery, University of Leicester, U.K.
Sayers
R D
RD
Reid
A
A
Underwood
M J
MJ
Bell
P R
PR
D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires