MAJOR LIMB AMPUTATION IN ADULTS, ZARIA, NIGERIA

Over a period of 10 years, a total of 320 limb amputations were perfor med on adults at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Nigeria. The ma jor indication for upper limb amputation was trauma and post-fracture splintage gangrene (57%). In the lower limb the most common indication for amputation was advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin invol ving the bone. There was no case of peripheral vascular disease in the se patients other than diabetic ulcers. The fitting of prosthesis was uncommon. Most of these amputations were certainly preventable. The ne ed is for early and effective management of fractures, and the excisio n and grafting of non-healing leg ulcers before they become chronic.