Incidence of major amputations following gangrene of the lower limb.

The incidence of major amputations following gangrene of the lower limb during the period 1971 to 1979 in the county of Copenhagen was calculated. The overall incidence was found to be about 0.3 per thousand inhabitants over 40 years of age, the ratio of men to women was 2:1. The incidence was found to increase exponentially with age. The amputation-rate of the lower limb did not change during the 8 year period.