ABSTRACT

Dysvascularity accounts for approximately 75% of patients in the United Kingdom and the United States who undergo major amputation with about one third of these at the above-knee position. Diabetes mellitus is the underlying disease for amputation in more than two thirds of cases. Most patients are male and greater than 60 years of age. In general terms, the indications for amputation in the dysvascular patient are (1) complication of diabetes mellitus, (2) nondiabetic infection with ischemia, (3) osteomyelitis, (4) trauma, (5) failed limb salvage operations and (6) failed minor amputation.