Amputations in general practice

A retrospective review was carried out, of cases of amputation, which were performed between 1985 and 1999 at the Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso with the aims of documenting our experience and complications. The majority of the operations were performed by trainee family practitioners. There was a preponderance of males (M/F ratio of 1.89:1) and over half of the patients were between 21 and 50 years of age. Most of the patients were admitted for trauma and most of them underwent a two stage operation. Slightly less than half of the amputations performed were below knee amputation (BKA). Eleven patients died, 6 of whom were diabetics (55%). It is recommended that medical practitioners be aggressive with wound care, especially in diabetics and that special attention be paid to the foot hygiene of these patients in order to prevent limb loss.