Amputations for vascular insufficiency.

A study was carried out of 302 major amputations for vascular insufficiency in the lower limb with respect to levels of amputation, postoperative revisions, re-amputations on a higher level and postoperative mortality. This information was related to vascular disease (diabetes mellitus/arteriosclerosis) and to the experience of the surgeon. There was a high incidence of above-knee amputations both of diabetics and arteriosclerotics and the rate of complications was high for "senior" as well as "junior" surgeons. The amputations were performed during 1978 and the study has shown that there is an urgent need to lower the level of amputation without increasing the rate of complications. The study indicates that there is a need for further information about the problems involved in rehabilitation of above-knee amputees.