title: Thru-knee amputation: the operation of choice for non-ambulatory patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia 31208.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ayoub
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Solis
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dalton
mesh_terms: 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