STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS OF AMPUTATIONS AND TRENDS IN KOREA

Epidemiological research on amputees is being continued extensively wo rld wide, but there are different epidemiologic reports from country t o country. This study undertakes an epidemiologic report of the medica l records of amputees in Korea which has developed very rapidly, when compared with other countries. This study included 4258 amputees who e ither had an amputation and/or received prosthetic training at Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital from January 1970 t o June 1994. The most common cause of amputation was trauma (66.7%). a nd the second most common cause was peripheral vascular disease. While amputations due to infection or trauma were the most common in the 19 50's, amputations due to peripheral vascular disease have gradually in creased until they now make up 23.5% of all amputations in the 1990's. Lower Limb amputation, more common than upper limb amputation, accoun ted for 68.7% of all amputations, Multiple amputation accounted for 9. 3% of all amputations, and the occurrence rate of multiple amputation was relatively higher in cases of bunt injuries, train accidents, fros tbite, and Buerger's disease than in cases brought about by other caus es, The various amputation causes change according to the circumstance s of the times, as can be seen in this study.