Survivorship of healed partial foot amputations in dysvascular patients.

Abstract

The results of 94 initially successful, partial foot amputations in dysvascular patients were reviewed with survivorship analysis at a minimum of 6.5 years after surgery. Partial foot amputations were divided into three types: transmetatarsal amputations, metatarsophalangeal disarticulations, and ray resections. No amputation type was more or less likely to be treated with subsequent amputation of the foot or to develop recurrent ulceration. Taking all groups together, the chance of retaining the foot after an initially healed partial foot amputation was 86% at four years after operation and 76% at eight years after operation. Of these surviving feet, however, 53.8% developed ulceration or needed local reoperation. The chance of completely avoiding any surgery after an initially healed partial foot amputation was 71% at four years after operation and 52% at eight years after operation. In properly selected patients, partial foot amputations have significant longevity.