title: Lower extremity combat-related amputations.
abstract: Since the onset of combat activity in Iraq and Afghanistan, there have been over 1100 major limb amputations among United States service members. With a sustained military presence in the Middle East, continued severe lower extremity trauma is inevitable. For this reason, combat surgeons must understand the various amputation levels as well as the anatomic and technical details that enable an optimal functional outcome. These amputations are unique and usually result from blast mechanisms and are complicated by broad zones of injury with severe contamination and ongoing infection. The combat servicemen are young, previously healthy, and have the promising potential to rehabilitate to very high levels of activity. Therefore, every practical effort should be made to perform sound initial and definitive trauma-related amputations so that these casualties may return to their highest possible level of function.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tintle
authors.forename: Jonathan Agner
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Forsberg
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Keeling
authors.forename: Scott B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Shawen
authors.forename: Benjamin Kyle
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Potter
mesh_terms: D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D003714:Denervation; D004188:Disarticulation / Q000379:methods*; D006428:Hemipelvectomy; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D007867:Leg Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications