The amputation because of chronic peripheral vascular disease. Complications and prognosis

A series of 181 amputations in 156 patients treated between 1985 and 1996 b ecause of chronic peripheral vascular disease was reviewed. 107 major amput ations (above- and below-knee) and 74 minor amputations (foot and forefoot) were performed. 81% of the patient population had previous vascular operat ions. Complications, revisions and mortality of all patients were retrospec tively analyzed. The operative mortality rate of major amputations was 20% and the operative mortality rate of minor amputations was 9%. By a vessel-r econstruction before amputation the complication- (wound healing) and revis ion-rate could be reduced. By examination of the family-doctors, the surviv al times of the patients and the rehabilitation status of 69 living patient s were recorded. Minor amputations, below-knee amputations and knee-disarti culations had the best results of rehabilitation.