CONSERVATIVE AMPUTATION IN ARTERIOSCLEROSIS OBLITERANS.

Sixty-three toe and leg amputations in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans were reviewed in an attempt to determine how often and under what conditions a toe or leg amputation gave satisfactory results, and when transmetatarsal amputation might better have been considered. In many cases in which toes were amputated, it was necessary later to amputate the leg or the thigh because of improper healing or spread of infection. Transmetatarsal amputations apparently heal frequently in carefully selected cases and permit better function in the foot than do toe amputations. Successful use of a prosthesis is not obtained in many cases after leg amputation. When this difficulty is anticipated transmetatarsal rather than leg amputation should be attempted, if other conditions warrant, since prosthesis is not necessary after transmetatarsal amputation.