title: A meta-analysis of amputation versus limb salvage in mangled lower limb injuries--the patient perspective.
abstract: This meta-analysis evaluates the quality of life in post-traumatic amputees in comparison with limb salvage. Studies included in this meta-analysis had a minimum of 24 months of follow-up and used a validated quality-of-life outcome assessment scale (Short Form-36 or Sickness Impact Profile) for physical and psychological outcomes. Two reviewers performed the search and data extraction independent of each other. A total of 214 studies were identified; 11 fulfilled the inclusion criteria; thus, 1138 patients were available for meta-analysis (769 amputees and 369 cases of reconstruction). The meta-analysis demonstrated that lower limb reconstruction is more acceptable psychologically to patients with severe lower limb trauma compared with amputation, even though the physical outcome for both management pathways was more or less the same.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, United Kingdom. maheswara.akula@gmail.com
authors.forename: Maheswara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akula
authors.forename: Sreenadh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gella
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McShane
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mohsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile