Below knee amputation in war surgery: a review of 111 amputations with delayed primary closure

The results of 111 acute below-knee amputations in war wounded were reviewed. The majority of the patients were wounded by exploding mines. The amputation stumps were not closed primarily but secondarily after an average of 6.4 days. Reamputation above the knee was necessary in only one case of wound sepsis. After delayed primary closure 84% of the stumps healed without problems. The best results were obtained when the stump closure was performed within 1 week after the amputation. No cases of gas gangrene or tetanus were encountered.