Amputee Introduction

• • Vascular amputations are surgical procedures performed to remove a limb or part of a limb when blood flow is insufficient to sustain tissue health, typically due to severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or complications from diabetes
  • These amputations aim to prevent the spread of infection, alleviate pain, and save a patient’s life when conservative treatments, such as revascularization, have failed
• • The most common causes necessitating vascular amputations include advanced atherosclerosis, gangrene, non-healing ulcers, and chronic ischemia
  • Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia are major risk factors that contribute to these conditions
  • The level of amputation - whether above the knee (AKA) or below the knee (BKA), depends on the extent of vascular compromise and tissue damage
  • Surgeons aim to preserve as much of the limb as possible to improve the patient’s rehabilitation potential and quality of life
• • Post-amputation care focuses on infection prevention, pain management, and the promotion of wound healing
  • Rehabilitation, including the use of prosthetics and physiotherapy, is crucial to restoring mobility and independence
  • Despite advancements in vascular and endovascular surgery, the morbidity and mortality rates associated with vascular amputations remain significant, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management of vascular diseases