Thru-knee amputation: the operation of choice for non-ambulatory patients.
Between 1983 and 1990, 32 consecutive patients had 35 thru-knee amputations for ischemia causing infection or gangrene of the lower leg. Twenty-seven patients were nonambulatory, five had limited mobility, and none were considered to be candidates for rehabilitation with a prosthesis after surgery. The average age was 73 years. Thirty-day hospital mortality was 3 per cent. The incidence of complications was low, and healing was achieved in 97 per cent of survivors. One patients required revision to an above-knee amputation. Average postoperative hospital stay was 8.7 days. It is concluded from this study that thru-knee amputation is the treatment of choice in patients with nonsalvageable ischemic legs and in whom ambulation is not planned after operation.
Ayoub
M M
MM
Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia 31208.
Solis
M M
MM
Rogers
J J
JJ
Dalton
M L
ML
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016138:Walking