Limb amputations in adults in an Ivorian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern of limb amputations and preventable indications.

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: Department of orthopaedic surgery, Yopougon Teaching Hospital, Abidjan, Côte d\'Ivoire.

Patients and methods: One hundred fifty-six patients with amputations over an 11-year period from January 1995 to December 2005 were studied. There were 111 (71.2%) men and 45 (28.8%) women with a mean age of 42 years.

Main outcome measures: indications, level of amputation, morbidity, and mortality.

Results: A total of 160 limb amputations were performed in the 156 patients. Trauma (49.9%), diabetic foot sepsis (31.4%), and peripheral vascular disease (13%) were the main indications. Below knee (46.9%) and below elbow (11.2%) amputations were the most common procedures performed. Wound infection was the commonest complication occurring in 42 (26.9%) patients. There were 25 (16%) deaths, out of which 22 were due to sepsis.

Conclusion
Majority of amputations in our environment are preventable by education, early presentation and appropriate management of the common indications.


Keywords: Amputation, Bonesetters, Indications, Level, Limb

Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 61-63