V M Muyembe1, M N Muhinga. 1. Department of Surgery, Central Provincial Hospital, Nyeri, Kenya.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of major limb amputation at a provincial hospital. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: The surgical department of the Central Provincial General Hospital, Nyeri, Kenya. SUBJECTS: One hundred and two patients who underwent major limb amputation between January 1990 and December 1995. RESULTS: The age range was from one year nine months to 85 years. The highest number of amputees were in the 41-60 year age group. The leading indications were trauma, tumours and complications of diabetes mellitus, each accounting for 26.5% of the amputations done. Ninety four per cent of the amputations were done on the lower limb while eight per cent were on the upper limb. Nine deaths recorded. Only 21.5% of the amputees had prostheses fitted. CONCLUSION: Whereas amputation is a commonly done operation, a low percentage of the amputees in this study were adequately rehabilitated with prostheses. A higher mortality rate (> 55%) was associated with amputation done for complications of diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of major limb amputation at a provincial hospital. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: The surgical department of the Central Provincial General Hospital, Nyeri, Kenya. SUBJECTS: One hundred and two patients who underwent major limb amputation between January 1990 and December 1995. RESULTS: The age range was from one year nine months to 85 years. The highest number of amputees were in the 41-60 year age group. The leading indications were trauma, tumours and complications of diabetes mellitus, each accounting for 26.5% of the amputations done. Ninety four per cent of the amputations were done on the lower limb while eight per cent were on the upper limb. Nine deaths recorded. Only 21.5% of the amputees had prostheses fitted. CONCLUSION: Whereas amputation is a commonly done operation, a low percentage of the amputees in this study were adequately rehabilitated with prostheses. A higher mortality rate (> 55%) was associated with amputation done for complications of diabetes mellitus.