Nineteenth century amputations at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

To describe 19th century amputations carried out at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. A retrospective analysis of hospital archives. Details of 276 amputations were analysed. The majority (86%) were in men and boys. The median age was 33 years. The ratio of leg:arm amputation was 2:1. Trauma ac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 2003-11, Vol.85 (6), p.393-395
Main Author: Galland, R B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amputation - history
Amputation - statistics & numerical data
England
History, 19th Century
Hospital Mortality
Hospitals - history
Humans
Length of Stay
Retrospective Studies
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Summary:To describe 19th century amputations carried out at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. A retrospective analysis of hospital archives. Details of 276 amputations were analysed. The majority (86%) were in men and boys. The median age was 33 years. The ratio of leg:arm amputation was 2:1. Trauma accounted for 58% of amputations. Of 52 arm amputations, 42 were due to trauma, compared with 37 of 110 leg amputations (P < 0.001). Mortality was higher following amputation for trauma than for disease (P < 0.01). Mortality following leg amputation was 16% compared with 3.8% after arm amputation (P < 0.05). Death rate following compound fracture was 23%. Compared with today, the population undergoing amputation and the indications for amputation in the 19th century differ significantly. However, it is apparent that in those patients who were selected to undergo amputation acceptable survival figures could be achieved.
ISSN:0035-8843
1478-7083
DOI:10.1308/003588403322520753