title: Assessing the long-term outcomes of minor lower limb amputations: a 5-year study.
abstract: Our aim was to assess the long-term outcome for minor forefoot amputations. A retrospective study of 126 patients who had such amputations between 1999 and 2004 was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups, diabetic (group A: 79 patients) and nondiabetic (group B: 47 patients). Angiograms were requested in 45 patients in group A compared with 31 patients in group B (P = ·77). In group A, 11 patients underwent further ipsilateral amputations compared with 30 patients in group B (P = ·02.). The 2 groups were equally likely to have vascular reconstruction (35% vs 37%). The overall 5-year mortality was 27%, with 58% of deaths occurring within the first year. This study shows that foot amputees have high mortality and reintervention rates. Adequate utilization of vascular services, extra vigilance in the prevention of complications, and risk factor modifications are required to improve postoperative outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery, Northwick Park University Hospital, London, United Kingdom. mohsinuzzaman@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Mohammed Mohsin
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Uzzaman
authors.forename: Saud
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jukaku
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kambal
authors.forename: Syed Tahir
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D015331:Cohort Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome