[Cost-benefit analysis of saving the leg].

To acquire cost-benefit analysis data for limb salvage a prospective study was performed between 1. January 1988 und 30. Juni 1988, including 128 admissions for AOD Stage IV or acute complete ischemia. After dividing the patients into three groups--limb salvage (LS), limb loss (LL) and primary amputation (PA)--the average total costs per admission were calculated. In the LS group these costs amounted to DM 14,652 for all cases and DM 14,069 for the survivors, in the LS group to DM 25,364 and DM 27,583 and in the PA group to DM 22,946 and DM 28,186. Therefore in light of the total costs alone every effort should be made to salvage threatened limbs.