Amputations

Question 1

Main categories of lower limb amputations

Answer 1

Pelvic disarticulation (hindquarter)
Above knee amputation
Gritti Stokes (through knee amputation)
Below knee amputation (using either Skew or Burgess flaps)
Syme's amputation (through ankle)
Amputations of mid foot and digits

Question 2

Above knee amputations

Answer 2

Quick to perform
Heal reliably
Patients regain their general health quickly
For this benefit, a functional price has to be paid and many patients over the age of 70 will never walk on an above knee prosthesis.
Above knee amputations use equal anterior-posterior flaps

Question 3

Below knee amputations

Answer 3

Technically more challenging to perform
Heal less reliably than their above knee counterparts.
However, many more patients are able to walk using a below knee prosthesis.
In below knee amputations the two main flaps are Skew flaps or the Burgess long posterior flap. Skew flaps result in a less bulky limb that is easier to attach a prosthesis to.

Question 4

Gritti - Stokes amputation

Answer 4

During a Gritti - Stokes operation the patella is conserved and swung posteriorly to cover the distal femoral surface

Question 5

Indications for amputation

Answer 5

Dead - non viable
Deadly - where it is posing a major threat to life
Dead useless - where it is viable but a prosthesis would be preferable