The role of revascularization in transmetatarsal amputations

Data from 37 patients who underwent a transmetatarsal amputation from Janua ry 1993 to April 1996 were reviewed. The mean age and diabetes duration of the subjects were 54.9 (+/- 13.2) years and 16.6 (+/- 8.9) years, respectiv ely. The follow-up period averaged 42.1 (+/- 11.2) months. At the time of f ollow-up, 29 (78.4%) of the 37 patients still had foot salvage, 8 (21.6%) h ad progressed to below-the-knee amputation, and 15 (40.5%) had undergone lo wer-extremity revascularization. Twelve (80%) of the 15 revascularized pati ents preserved their transmetatarsal amputation level at a follow-up of 36. 4 months. The authors concluded that at a maximum of 3 years follow-up afte r initial amputation, transmetatarsal amputation was a successful amputatio n level.