Fate of the contralateral limb after lower extremity amputation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Lower extremity amputation is often performed in patients where both lower extremities are at risk due to peripheral arterial disease or diabetes, yet the proportion of patients who progress to amputation of their contralateral limb is not well defined. We sought to determine the rate of subsequent amputation on both the ipsilateral and contralateral lower extremities following initial amputation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of all patients undergoing lower extremity amputation (exclusive of trauma or tumor) at our institution from 1998 to 2010. We used International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision codes to identify patients and procedures as well as comorbidities. Outcomes included the proportion of patients at 1 and 5 years undergoing co

SUBMITTER: Glaser JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3844063 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature