Effect of a failed distal reconstruction on the level of amputation

Controversy exists as to whether the level of amputation is adversely affected by an unsuccessful limb salvage attempt. Two hundred ten amputations following failed reconstruction attempts in 191 patients were studied and compared with 551 amputations in limbs with no prior revascularization. Initially, 147 of those with failed reconstruction attempts underwent below-knee (BK) amputation and 63 underwent above-knee (AK) amputation. One hundred ten of 143 (77%) surviving BK amputations eventually healed. This is in contrast to the eventual healing in 266 of 298 (89%) of the BK amputations performed with no prior attempts at reconstruction. A statistically significant (p less than 0.05) difference in eventual healing favoring those with no prior reconstruction was demonstrated. Successful reconstruction of the ischemic extremity is the goal of vascular surgery and should be attempted when indicated. However, it should be realized that unsuccessful revascularization attempts may adversely affect healing in those limbs initially considered for a BK amputation.