[Medical and surgical outcome of thigh amputation for arteritis]

Results of a minimum 4 year follow up of 87 cases of thigh amputation are discussed. Postoperative mortality was 40% and 40% of patients had survived after one year. Early mortality factors were age (mean 75 years) and the coronary lesion responsible for more than a half of postoperative deaths. Amputation stump complications were noted in 13% of cases, their onset being dependent on 3 factors: loss of femoral pulse, failure of vascular re-establishment and early amputation after this failure. The remaining limb required major amputation in 21% of cases before the end of the second year, the final major level of amputation being a factor of the lack of distal revascularization in 77% of patients.