We have performed 22 lower extremity amputations with immediate post-surgical prosthetic fitting since November 1966.
Among the causes of these amputations, 9 were of malignant bone tumors, 8 of gangrens due to peripheral vascular disease and 5 of other causes such as traumas and congenital malformation.
In general, very early ambulation after surgery, early completion of final prosthetic fitting, and marked shortning of hospitalization have resulted from this technique. The authors however want to emphasize that very precise cautions will be needed in order to be successful in primary wound healing in the case of the amputation due to peripheral vascular disease.
