Transmetatarsal amputation. A successful approach to limb salvage

To assess the outcome of transmetatarsal amputations of the foot, data were analyzed for all transmetatarsal and midfoot amputations performed at the Lebanon Veterans Health Administration Medical Center for the period 1984 to 1990. During this 6-year period, 42 consecutive transmetatarsal and midfoot amputations were performed on 39 patients. Patient demographics, factors leading to amputation, level of amputation, outcome, function, and long-term complications were analyzed. Overall healing rate was 83.3%, with an average length of hospital stay of 35.7 days (range 3 to 96 days). Average follow-up period was 30.2 months (range 2 to 65 months).