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Amputation Below the Ankle: How to Ensure the Best Outcome for the Patient

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Management of Diabetic Foot Complications

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Abstract

The rate of major lower limb amputations among diabetic population has significantly reduced throughout the world over the last few decades as a direct result of more aggressive revascularisation, soft tissue reconstruction, mechanical correction and expert foot care delivered by multidisciplinary teams. However, the rate of minor foot amputations has increased during this period because of these improvements in limb preservation. Minor amputations, defined as amputations below the ankle level, are important surgical procedures when indicated, as they can prevent a major limb loss and provide the patients with the best functional outcome to maintain their independence. Minor amputations also carry less post-operative mortality in comparison to a major amputation. Contrary to a major amputation that carries a high 30-day mortality in the elderly population of up to 17.5% and 1 year mortality rate of 66%, minor amputations, especially when done under local anesthesia have a significantly low mortality level.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Vascular Surgery, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Hani Slim

  2. Departments of Vascular Surgery, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Venu Kavarthapu

  3. Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Venu Kavarthapu

Authors
  1. Hani Slim
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  2. Venu Kavarthapu
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Correspondence to Venu Kavarthapu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Clifford P. Shearman

  2. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, UK

    Patrick Chong

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Slim, H., Kavarthapu, V. (2023). Amputation Below the Ankle: How to Ensure the Best Outcome for the Patient. In: Shearman, C.P., Chong, P. (eds) Management of Diabetic Foot Complications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05832-5_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05832-5_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-05831-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-05832-5

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