Pattern of Limb Amputations in Male Patients in a Sub-Urban Teaching Hospital

Background: Extremity amputations represent a major disability and it is compounded by the difficulty in obtaining prosthesis in developing nations. The consequences of loss of earning abilities, particularly when the patient is the only wage earner in a large extended family is high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of limb amputations in male patients in Irrua specialist teaching hospital, lrrua, Edo state of Nigeria.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of the pattern of limb amputation surgeries in male patients in Irrua over a five year period. Data was obtained from the medical records department. Extracted data were analyzed using simple statistical method of proportions and percentages.
Results: Fifty-nine male patients had sixty-four limb amputation surgeries during the study period. Median age of patients was forty-nine years. The most frequent level of amputation was below knee level in 53.1% of cases, followed by above knee in 31.2% of cases. The lower limb was involved in 92.1% of cases, the rest 7.9% involved the upper limb. Diabetic foot disease was the commonest indication for amputation, 26 patients (40.6% of cases) followed by trauma in 23 patients (35.9% of cases). Wound infection was the most frequent post-operative complication occurring 34.4% of wounds in this study.
Conclusion: Diabetic foot disease and trauma were the commonest indications. The middle aged was the most involved. Preventive measures such as education of diabetic patients on foot care, regulation of the activities of traditional bone setters, and public enlightenment on road safety rules would assist in no small measure in addressing this problem.