Burns and amputations: a 24-year experience.
Although the management of the severely burnt extremity poses a significant therapeutic dilemma, burn injuries resulting in amputation are uncommon, In such cases, however, amputation can reduce the rate of mortality. In a total of 1858 patients from January 1980 to January 2004, there were 34 amputations in 27 patients. There were 23 men (age range, 14-64 years) and 4 women (age range, 34-85 years). The majority of amputations from burns caused by flame injury predominantly after motor vehicle accidents, with only eight cases resulting from high-voltage electrical injury. Nine patients required immediate amputations, with the rest being delayed. There were three deaths, with a survival rate of 89%. The majority of single lower-limb amputees and only one of seven bilateral amputees were independently mobile. The presence of pre-existing psychiatric disease significantly impaired rehabilitation. Free tissue transfer and the usage of bioengineered materials may help reduce the incidence of amputations.
Kennedy
Peter J
PJ
NSW Severe Burn Injury Service, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Young
Wayne M
WM
Deva
Anand K
AK
Haertsch
Peter A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001132:Arm; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome