Article

The amputee population is elderly, has significant medical
co-morbidities and perioperative mortality leading to high financial
implications. Commonly used outcomes in the literature are survival, prosthetic
use and mobility. OBJECTIVES: Our study aims to share our 12-year experience of
amputee care, concentrating on perioperative mortality and patient
rehabilitation. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study in the form of a retrospective
case series. METHODS: In total, 130 amputations, performed between January 1998
and December 2009, were followed up for a mean of three and a half years and
analyzed for demographics, vascular history, operation details, prosthetic use,
mobility and mortality. RESULTS: The population was 59.2% male, had a mean age of
73 and the most common indication for amputation was critical ischaemia (78.5%).
The average length of acute inpatient stay was 63 days with a 30-day mortality
rate of 15.3% and inpatient mortality of 29.3%. In total, 63.3% of patients were
issued with a prosthesis with 48.2% of all patients achieving at least indoor
mobility, transtibial (49.9%) rehabilitated better than transfemoral amputees
(24.3%). CONCLUSIONS:
Our data support the urgent need for action to improve
perioperative mortality in the amputee population, with the added advantage of
reducing its financial impact. Clinical relevance Our study gives an overview of
the clinical journey taken by a 12-year amputee population.
By following this
cohort from initial procedure through to rehabilitation or mortality we provide
the reader with a valuable insight into the difficulties of managing this
population and the likely outcomes for these patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS