Syme's amputation: a retrospective review of 10 cases.
Amputation at the level of the ankle joint is a valuable, yet underused procedure for a variety of conditions affecting the foot and ankle. The procedure can provide a comfortable and durable stump that allows a lower extremity amputee to function with minimal disability. The indications, surgical technique, and postoperative prosthetic considerations are reviewed and discussed. Emphasis is placed on the preoperative considerations deemed essential for a successful outcome based on the senior author's experience of 10 cases performed for a wide variety of pathologies. Three case illustrations show the efficacy of the Syme's procedure as an alternative to a higher level amputation, such as below-knee amputation or above-knee amputation.
Section of Podiatry, Department of Surgery, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA. gerardvyu@aol.com
Gerard V
GV
Yu
Theresa L
TL
Schinke
Amanda
A
Meszaros
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004188:Disarticulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies