[Amputation due to chronic peripheral vascular disease. Risks and prognosis].

A series of 181 amputations in 156 patients treated between 1985 and 1996 because of chronic peripheral vascular disease was reviewed. 107 major amputations (above- and below-knee) and 74 minor amputations (foot and forefoot) were performed. 81% of the patient population had previous vascular operations. Complications, revisions and mortality of all patients were retrospectively analyzed. The operative mortality rate of major amputations was 20% and the operative mortality rate of minor amputations was 9%. By a vessel-reconstruction before amputation the complication- (wound healing) and revision-rate could be reduced. By examination of the family-doctors, the survival times of the patients and the rehabilitation status of 69 living patients were recorded. Minor amputations, below-knee amputations and knee-disarticulations had the best results of rehabilitation.