The relationship between diabetic amputees and vascular reviews.

This paper reviews the data in the literature pertaining to risk factors for amputation in the diabetic population, and describes a retrospective study to assess the vascular and other assessments carried out on a sample of 50 diabetic patients undergoing minor (toe and foot) and major (below-knee and above-knee) amputations. The study found that 50% of the patients did not have Doppler studies, 52% did not have angiography, and 78% did not have angioplasty. Major amputations were performed in 76% of the sample. This is an unacceptably high figure. Thorough vascular assessments need to be performed in an attempt to save lower limbs from potential amputation.