EPIDEMIOLOGIC DATA ON AMPUTATIONS OF THE LOWER-EXTREMITIES - A STUDY OF 1487 AMPUTATIONS

The examination is based on the operative amputee statistics at the un iversity hospital Gottingen between 1983 and 1992 as well as the prost hetic treatment statistics at the university hospital for Technische O rthopAdie and Rehabilitation (TO Munster) between january 1991 and mar ch 1993. The comparison of epidemiologic data from both hospitals allo w to give statements concerning etiology, level of amputation and age distribution. With a percentage of 78,6 dysvascular diseases were the principal cause for amputations at the Gottingen hospital, which is 10 % less than described in modern literature. The respective percentage was 43% in Munster, followed by a 35,9% share for amputations caused b y trauma. Our results demonstrate the relevance of amputations which a re not due to dysvascular diseases in prosthetic treatment.