Treating osteomyelitis of major limb amputations with a modified Lautenbach technique

Major lower limb amputation significantly increases the energy cost of walking for patients. Complications such as osteomyelitis may require further surgery, and can lead to shortening of the stump. In these cases, the aim should be to treat infection without shortening the limb further. We present a series of patients with established osteomyelitis of the amputation stump, managed using a modified Lautenbach technique.

Six patients with either above or below knee amputations, in the practice of a single orthopaedic surgeon, were studied. Ages range from 39 to 64 years, and reasons for amputation included infection, pain, and necrosis. All patients had osteomyelitis in the amputation stump confirmed on MRI.

At a mean follow-up of 3.75 years (range 7 months to 6 years) all six patients had no clinical or haematological evidence of infection, and had returned to independent living. Stump length was preserved in all cases, including in one patient who underwent two procedures to ensure complete debridement.

We believe that this case series is the largest so far published regarding this modification of the Lautenbach Procedure. This operation treats infection effectively without further loss of bone length, and no patients so far have developed significant complications.