Prevalence of Late Amputations During the Current Conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq

Authors: Stinner, Daniel J.¹; Burns, Travis C.²; Kirk, Kevin L.²; Scoville, Charles R.³; Ficke, James R.²; Hsu, Joseph R.¹; Late Amputation Study Team LAST†‡,¹

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 175, Number 12, December 2010 , pp. 1027-1029(3)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

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Abstract:

ABSTRACT

During the current conflicts, over 950 soldiers have sustained a combat-related amputation. The majority of these are acute, but an unknown number are performed months to years after the initial injury. The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of late amputations in our combat wounded. Electronic medical records and radiographs of all soldiers who had a combat-related, lower extremity injury that resulted in amputation were reviewed to confirm demographic, injury, and amputation information. Time to amputation was defined as a late amputation when it occurred more than 12 weeks following the date of injury. There were 348 major limb amputees that met inclusion criteria. Fifty-three (15.2%) amputees had a late amputation (range % 12 wk-5.5 yr). While the majority of combat-related amputations occur acutely, more than 15% occur late. This study demonstrates that further research is needed to identify predictive factors and outcomes of the late amputation.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: United States Institute of Surgical Research, 3400 Rawley E. Chambers Avenue, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234. 2: Brooke Army Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234. 3: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20307.

Publication date: 2010-12-01

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Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.

Military Medicine's 5-year Impact Factor: 1.061
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Prevalence of Late Amputations During the Current Conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq

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