RT Journal
A1 Gibbons GW, Wheelock FC, Jr, Siembieda C, Hoar CS, Jr, Rowbotham JL, Persson AB
T1 NOninvasive prediction of amputation level in diabetic patients
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1979
FD November 1
VO 114
IS 11
SP 1253
OP 1257
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370350055005
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370350055005
AB • Noninvasive laboratory testing was used to predict successful amputation levels in 150 diabetic patients. The cases of 100 patients undergoing forefoot amputation and 50 patients undergoing below-knee amputation were evaluated using segmental systolic pressures and pulse volume recordings (PVRs). The decision for and the level of amputation were based solely on clinical judgment. In patients undergoing forefoot amputation, segmental systolic pressures were falsely high or predicted incorrectly in over half the cases. Segmental PVRs were correctly predictive in only half of the cases. In patients undergoing below-knee amputation, segmental systolic pressures were falsely high or predicted incorrectly in over one third of cases. Segmental PVRs were correctly predictive in less than one third of the cases. In the diabetic patient, clinical judgment continues to provide the most accurate and reliable information by which the type of amputation and likelihood of its success can be judged.(Arch Surg 114:1253-1257, 1979)