Non-traumatic lower limb older amputees: A database survey from a geriatric centre

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to examine the characteristic of a geriatric population admitted for amputation of a lower limb and to explore some of the factors that may affect the course of their hospital stay. Method: The study took place in the geriatric division of a tertiary general h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Disability and rehabilitation 2001-01, Vol.23 (2), p.80-84
Main Authors: Adunsky, Abraham, Wershavski, Michael, Arad, Marina, Heruti, Raphael J, Siev-Ner, Itzhak, Heim, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Distribution
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amputation
Amputation - rehabilitation
Amputation - statistics & numerical data
Analysis of Variance
Chi-Square Distribution
Data Collection
Female
Geriatrics - statistics & numerical data
Hospital Units
Humans
Israel - epidemiology
Leg
Male
Middle Aged
Probability
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Sex Distribution
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to examine the characteristic of a geriatric population admitted for amputation of a lower limb and to explore some of the factors that may affect the course of their hospital stay. Method: The study took place in the geriatric division of a tertiary general hospital and included a close geriatric-orthopaedic liaison. Two-hundred and forty-one patients were included in the final analysis. Results: Many above knee amputations were performed, which correlated with advanced age. Rates of in hospital mortality and systemic complications were 16% and 19%, respectively. Thirty-three percent of the patients were discharged back home, and only 6% were supplied with an artificial limb. The general condition of most patients remained poor. Conclusion: We conclude that despite a team approach to the care of the geriatric amputee a poor functional result was obtained. By encouraging earlier referrals from the community it is postulated that a reduction in the costly provision of antibiotics would be beneficial and that perhaps lower levels of amputation could be performed thereby enhancing the possibilities for ambulation.
ISSN:0963-8288
1464-5165
DOI:10.1080/096382801750058161