Effect of fluid collections on long-term outcome after lower limb amputation

To ascertain the long-term outcome for individuals found to have fluid collections in residual limbs after amputation.

Prospective cohort study.

Outpatient follow-up at a prosthetic rehabilitation unit.

Successive lower limb amputations (N=105) scanned for fluid collections after operation and followed up after 3 years.

Not applicable.

Survival; secondary outcomes of prosthetic limb use, hours of prosthetic limb-wearing, anxiety and depression levels.

After 3 years, 70 individuals were alive, of whom 21 (30%) had fluid collections originally. There was no significant difference at follow-up between the group that had fluid collections in their residual limbs after surgery and the group that did not in terms of survival (χ(2)(1)=.21, P=.64), numbers wearing prosthetic limb (χ(2)(1)=.102, P=.75), hours of limb wearing (t(37)=.35, P=.72), anxiety (χ(2)(1)=.77, P=.78), and depression (χ(2)(1)=1.98, P=.16). A multivariable logistic regression confirmed that presence of fluid collection was not associated with survival.

Fluid collections in residual limbs after amputation are common, but patients can be reassured that their long-term outcomes are not affected.