LIMB AMPUTATION IN CHILDREN IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

Over a period of 10 years, a total of 118 limb amputations were perfor med in children at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Zaria, Nigeri a. The major indication for limb amputation was trauma and gangrene fo llowing post-fracture splintage by traditional healers. There was no c ase of peripheral vascular disease in these patients. None of the pati ents had a prosthesis applied. The very high number of limb amputation s is certainly preventable by early and effective management of fractu res.