"Successful outcome" after below-knee amputation: an objective definition and influence of clinical variables.

Functional success after below-knee amputation (BKA) has been poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to establish a consistent definition of "successful outcome" after BKA and to identify clinical variables influencing that definition. Three hundred nine consecutive patients undergoing BKA were evaluated postoperatively using the following definition for "successful outcome": 1) wound healing of the BKA without need for revision to a higher level; 2) maintenance of ambulation with a prosthesis for at least 1 year or until death; and 3) survival for at least 6 months.