title: Gritti-Stokes (through-knee) amputation: should it be reintroduced?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When there is doubt about perfusion in the distal part of the leg and around the ankle, an above-knee amputation (AKA) site has been the most commonly selected to assure primary wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Gritti-Stokes amputation (GSA), a modified through-knee amputation, seems to have value for selected patients, according to a literature review and our success in a small group of patients. We have investigated the proportion of patients who have had AKA and who might have been suitable candidates for GSA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a retrospective study of 66 patients who had had AKA, at least one third could have been considered for a GSA and might have benefitted from this procedure. This suggests that some consideration should be given to the reintroduction of the Gritti-Stokes operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our expectation is that patients so treated could achieve a high proportion of primary wound healing, an end-bearing stump, and more rapid rehabilitation than found in patients undergoing the classic AKA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, York Hospital, York, PA 17405, USA.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Fielding
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies