Causal conditions for major limb amputation at a specialist hospital in north central Nigeria

Background: Amputation is said to be a mutilating surgical procedure with causes varying within and between countries. Even though most causes of amputation result from potentially preventable conditions, it is one of the most commonly performed procedures. The aim of this study is to elucidate the of causes of major limb amputation at NKST Rehabilitation Hospital, Mkar , Benue State so as to proffer preventive measures. Methodology: Case records of patients who had major limb amputation between January 2007 and December 2011 at NKST Rehabilitation Hospital, Mkar, were retrieved from the Medical Records Department and analyzed for age at time of amputation, gender, indication for amputation, and early complications following surgery. Results: A total of 198 major limb amputations in 198 patients were audited. There were 139(70.2%) males and 59(29.8%) females with an age range of 2-85 years. The causes of major limb amputation included trauma (n=122, 61.6%), diabetic foot disease (n=36, 18.2%), musculoskeletal tumours (n=26, 13.1%) and peripheral vascular disease (unrelated to diabetes) (n=10, 5.1%). Traditional bone setters' gangrene was the predominant cause (n=65, 53.3%) of traumatic amputation. Surgical site infection was the leading early complication(n=63, 31.8%). Conclusion: Trauma and diabetic foot disease were the leading causes of major limb amputation from the study. Regulating traditional bone setters' practices, enforcing road safety regulations and adequate diabetic foot care practices are recommended. Keywords: Major limb amputation, Indications, Trauma Jos Journal of Medicine , Volume 7 No. 2