Compound fractures of the lower leg: clinical experiences and concept of treatment in multiple injury patients.

From 1980 to 1986 in 15 patients (16 lower leg fractures) with crush fractures of the lower limb, five had to be amputated primarily under emergency conditions, and four had successful reconstruction but required medical treatment for an average of one year. Seven secondary amputations were carried out because of infection of the bone, soft tissue and vascular occlusion. The level of amputation was at the proximal third of the tibia according to Dederich and Burgess. One leg was amputated 'through the knee'. The indication for amputation was based mainly on clinical findings, supplemented by bone X-rays, arteriography or arterial DSA. Doppler sonography was used for monitoring short intervals of blood flow in the emergency case unit, in cases of doubt.