Amputation Flashcards
how many americans will undergo amputation
1 in 200
rates increase with age
twice as common in men
What is the estimated cost of amputation?
over $8.3 billion dollars
over 80% of lower extremity amputations are due to…
vascular disease and/or neuropathy
over 70% of upper extremity amputations are due to…
trauma
what are some other causes of amputation
cancer (especially adolescent bone malignancies), infection, and congenital limb defects
In what populations is vascular disease more common, and what is it associated with?
Most common African americans; more common in native americans and Hispanics than Caucasians
associated with diabetes and/or smoking
What are some comorbidities that increase risk for PVD and amputation?
obesity, HTN, HLP, nephropathy
What does diabetes increase risk for?
increases risk of intermittent claudication by 4-5 times, even after controlling for HTN, smoking, and cholesterol level
85% of amputations in those with diabetes are preceded by…
foot ulceration
55% of those whose PVD result in amputation….
will eventually undergo bilateral amputations
what is the 30 day mortality following a major leg amputation
it is as high as 40%
what is 5 year mortality?
as high as 70%
Causes of traumatic amputation? who most likely has them?
MVA, work or violence related combat injuries, severe burns, electrocution
more common among younger men
When does reimplantation have to occur?
must occur within 12 hour window
What is also associated with traumatic amputation?
psychological trauma and an extended period of adjustment
What are advantages and disadvantages of amputation vs. salvage
lifetime cost of amputation as much as 3 times higher
risk of subsequent hospitalization is greater after salvage
amputation may result in better functional outcomes
salvage may be more psychologically acceptable
When is malignancy involved with amputation?
can be due to primary cancer (osteosarcoma) or metastatic disease
more commonly involved the lower limbs
declining amputation rates due to earlier diagnoses, improved chemotherapy, and limb salvage/reconstruction techniques
What are causes for pediatric amputation?
3:2 male to female ratio
60% are congenital
40% are acquired: 90% are single limb, 60% are LE, most result from trauma
What must be considered with pediatric amputation?
Disarticulation minimizes growth plate disruption
Must consider longitudinal and circumferential growth
What make pediatric amputations different than adult?
Excellent circulation enhances wound healing
Superior tissue tolerance may allow early post-op prosthetic
Children are NOT miniature adults
What are surgical principles that must be considered?
maintain adequate circulation for wound/incision healing
remove damaged or involved tissues
preserve as many anatomical joints as possible, especially the knee
preserve maximal bone length
provide residual limb that will accept prosthesis and tolerate weight bearing
What are surgical considerations with dysvascular patients
often present with comorbidities, neuropathy, vascular compromise, infection, or osteomyelitis
What are surgical considerations for traumatic injuries?
often involved open, comminuted fractures with soft tissue loss and vascular/nerve disruption
What are surgical considerations for cancer related amputation?
indicated in high-grade neoplasms, proximal lesions, those risking pathologic fractures or neurovascular involvement, or recurrent disease
What is the modern technique for amputations
Skin and muscle are divided to form anterior and posterior flaps
Primary arteries and veins are dissected, clamped, and severed
Major nerves are dissected, severed, and allowed to retract into soft tissue
Bone is severed, distal end I filed and beveled to produce smooth surface
Muscle and skin flaps are sewn together, forming the residual limb
Why must there be muscle stabilization techniques?
muscle length must be preserved to prevent contracture and atrophy
What is myodesis
transected muscles are re-attached by suturing through drill holes at distal end of the bone
tenodesis technique
intact tendons reattached to bone
myofascial technique
fascial envelope is sutured over transected muscles
myoplasty technique
suturing of one muscle group to its antagonist
open (guillotine), provisional, or delayed closure technique
indicated if severe infection or toxicity are present
What is osteomyoplasty?
Ertl procedure, developed in 1920s and 30s
used in transtibial amputation
osteoperiosteal flap (bone bridge) is harvested from amputated tibia
flap is implanted, bridging distal tibial and fibular ends
incision is closed over bone bridge
Why is it important to stabilize distal tibia and fibula?
prevents chopsticking of distal bone ends
improves weight bearing on residual limb
What are post-operative complications
contracture, edema, phantom limb sensation or pain, personal grief and depression
surgical complications: pain, infection, respiratory compromise, DVT, etc