title: Factors affecting outcome after traumatic limb amputation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traumatic leg amputation commonly affects young, active people and leads to poor long-term outcomes. The aim of this review was to describe common causes of disability and highlight therapeutic interventions that may optimize outcome after traumatic leg amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases was performed, using the terms 'leg injury', 'amputation' and 'outcome'. Articles reporting outcomes following traumatic leg amputation were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies demonstrated that pain, psychological illness, decreased physical and vocational function, and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were common causes of disability after traumatic leg amputation. The evidence highlights that appropriate preoperative management and operative techniques, in conjunction with suitable rehabilitation and postoperative follow-up, can lead to improved treatment outcome and patient satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who undergo leg amputation after trauma are at risk of poor long-term physical and mental health. Clinicians involved in their care have many opportunities to improve their outcome using a variety of therapeutic variables. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Clinical Academic Unit, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK. Zane.Perkins@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Z B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: De'Ath
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: N R M
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Tai
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D001458:Bandages; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003376:Counseling; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control