SURVIVORSHIP OF HEALED PARTIAL FOOT AMPUTATIONS IN DYSVASCULAR PATIENTS

The results of 94 initially successful, partial foot amputations in dy svascular patients were reviewed with survivorship analysis at a minim um of 6.5 years after surgery. Partial foot amputations were divided i nto three types: transmetatarsal amputations, metatarsophalangeal disa rticulations, and ray resections. No amputation type was more or less likely to be treated with subsequent amputation of the foot or to deve lop recurrent ulceration. Taking all groups together, the chance of re taining the foot after an initially healed partial foot amputation was 86% at four years after operation and 76% at eight years after operat ion. Of these surviving feet, however, 53.8% developed ulceration or n eeded local reoperation. The chance of completely avoiding any surgery after an initially healed partial foot amputation was 71% at four yea rs after operation and 52% at eight years after operation. In properly selected patients, partial foot amputations have significant longevit y.