[Gritti's amputation. Surgical technic, apparatus and indications]

The amputation proposed by R. Gritti in 1857 involves a supracondylar operation with repair surgery to the patella, which is attached to the femur, allowing a long stump to be maintained. Principal criticisms were related to the apparatus used, until be availability of a prosthetic knee occupying minimal spaces and allowing alignment with the healthy knee. Weight bearing is terminal with a light prosthesis that locks in without difficulty. It can therefore be substituted for conventional lower third of thigh amputations in certain cases.