[Indications for immediate and delayed amputation in severe soft tissue and skeletal injuries of the distal tibia].

Primary amputation of the lower extremity has become rare in the last years due to the advances in rigid fixation of the bone, plastic and microsurgical techniques and aseptic surgery. Primary amputation is indicated in the presence of non-reconstructable lesions of vessels and/or nerves, secondary amputations when vascular, neural or septic complications occur.