title: Effect of fluid collections on long-term outcome after lower limb amputation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the long-term outcome for individuals found to have fluid collections in residual limbs after amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient follow-up at a prosthetic rehabilitation unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successive lower limb amputations (N=105) scanned for fluid collections after operation and followed up after 3 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survival; secondary outcomes of prosthetic limb use, hours of prosthetic limb-wearing, anxiety and depression levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 years, 70 individuals were alive, of whom 21 (30%) had fluid collections originally. There was no significant difference at follow-up between the group that had fluid collections in their residual limbs after surgery and the group that did not in terms of survival (χ(2)(1)=.21, P=.64), numbers wearing prosthetic limb (χ(2)(1)=.102, P=.75), hours of limb wearing (t(37)=.35, P=.72), anxiety (χ(2)(1)=.77, P=.78), and depression (χ(2)(1)=1.98, P=.16). A multivariable logistic regression confirmed that presence of fluid collection was not associated with survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluid collections in residual limbs after amputation are common, but patients can be reassured that their long-term outcomes are not affected.
authors.affiliation: Osborn Neurorehabilitation Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom. rajiv.singh@sth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Guruprasad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venkateshwara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000672:Amputation Stumps / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors