Etiologies and Trends in Extremity Amputations: A Ten-Year Single-Center Experience

Background: Limb amputation is a life-altering event with substantial physical, psychological, and social consequences. Despite advances in healthcare, amputation remains a major global health concern, particularly in regions with high burdens of diabetes and vascular disease. This study aims to analyze demographic characteristics, etiologies, and trends in amputations over a ten-year period at a tertiary-care center. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who underwent amputation at our tertiary-care hospital. Collected variables included patients' demographics, etiology, level of amputation, type of admission, and surgical specialty involved. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Associations between categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests, with post hoc pairwise comparisons adjusted using the Bonferroni method where applicable. Continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. All analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results: A total of 647 patients underwent amputation, with a mean age of 56 years and a male predominance (65%). Diabetic complications were the leading cause (67.7%), followed by trauma (11.7%) and vascular diseases (11.6%). Lower limb amputations were more prevalent, with toe amputations being the most frequent (39%). Emergency procedures accounted for 72% of cases, and vascular surgery was the most involved specialty, followed by orthopedic surgery. Conclusions: Our study highlights a substantial burden of amputations, predominantly involving the lower limb, as well as a significant association with diabetic complications. These findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated diabetic care, early interventions, and public health strategies to reduce the burden of amputations in Saudi Arabia.