[Transgenicular amputation: an alternative to thigh amputation?].

Since 1976 we attempted to avoid an above-knee (AK) amputation in favor of a knee disarticulation. From 1976 to 1979 83 patients with an average age of 72 years could be amputated through the knee and 55 patients with average age of 73 years had to be submitted to an AK-amputation. As compared to the AK-amputation the transgenicular (TG) resection has the following advantages: 1) Lower postoperative mortality (TG 10%, AK 33%). --2) Higher prosthetic fitting rate (TG 77%, AK 61%). --3) Significantly improved rehabilitation of the patient (walking with artificial limb: TG 67%, AK 20%). --The results of a TG-amputation may be impaired by disturbances of wound healing with subsequent necrosis and/or infection. Among our patients every forth amputation stump following TG-resection had to be reamputated at above-knee level.