Long posterior flap amputation in geriatric patients with ischaemic disease

A series of 165 primary amputations performed on 148 patients at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, from 1967 to 1975 is reported. The average age of these patients was 70 years, the oldest being 95. Those aged 70 years and over are considered in special detail. The problems of management of these elderly patients are complex, involving medical, surgical, and social problems. The object of treatment is to restore these patients to their previous way of life with the shortest possible time in hospital. Every patient is assessed with a view to arterial surgery, and amputation is avoided where possible by a lumbar sympathetic block or direct arterial surgery. When amputation cannot be avoided a below-knee level is selected if possible. A long posterior flap technique is used which forms a myoplasty of the gastrocnemius muscle; thus the ischaemic anterior tibial skin is avoided. Before the operation the patient is assessed by a specialist team and the management is discussed in detail. Every patient is kept in hospital until rehabilitation is achieved to the point of independence inside the home. Of the 90 patients in the group aged 70 years and over, 22% had above-knee amputations and 75% had below-knee amputations, with the result that 69% of the latter were discharged home walking. This result is contrasted with the smaller number who had an above-knee amputation. Below-knee amputation gives the elderly patient a better chance of walking because of the use of the patellar tendon bearing prosthesis. When followed up 36% of those patients with below-knee amputation were fully independent for periods exceeding six months. The price of a below-knee level of amputation is a longer hospital stay, but the quality of function and mobility obtained by the patient makes this worth while.