Lower extremity minor amputations: the roles of diabetes mellitus and timing of revascularization.

Introduction: Despite the frequent performance of minor foot amputations in patients with lower extremity vascular disease, little is known regarding the rate of conversion to major amputations and the role of bypass graft timing in relation to amputation.

Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2001, 670 patients underwent 920 minor amputations (interphalangeal, ray, or transmetatarsal) on 747 limbs.

Results: Of 670 patients, 468 were men (69.

Major lower extremity amputation: outcome of a modern series.

Hypothesis: Major lower extremity amputation results in significant morbidity and mortality.

Design: Retrospective database query and medical record review for January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2001. Mean follow-up was 33.