The cutting off of a limb or any other projecting part by surgical means.
The surgical removal of a limb or part of a limb or other body part by surgery (e.g., to treat gangrene or recurrent infection. severe trauma, or malignancy) or by trauma.
Removal of an extremity due to trauma or circulatory disease; classified as traumatic or surgical depending on the circumstances in which removal occurred.
The removal of a limb, part of a limb, or any other portion of the body (such as a breast). The term is customarily modified by an adjective showing the particular type of amputation. Once a common operation in surgery, it is now usually performed only in cases of severe injury to limbs or, particularly in elderly people, when circulation to a limb is inadequate and gangrene develops. In planning an amputation the surgeon takes account of the patient’s work and the type of artificial part (prothesis) that will be fitted.
Severance of a limb, or part of a limb, from the rest of the body. The leg is the most common site of amputation. It is usually performed as a controlled operation and may be required for a variety of reasons. In the young, severe injury is the most common cause, when damage to the limb is so extensive as to make it non-viable or functionally useless. In the elderly, amputation is more often the result of vascular insufficiency, resulting in gangrene or intractable pain. Sarcoma of bone, muscle or connective tissues in a limb is another reason for amputation.
Removal of a limb, body part, or organ, usually as a result of surgery but occasionally trauma. In western countries during peacetime, the most common underlying reason for loss of a limb is peripheral vascular disease, e.g., a blockage to blood flow to the legs caused by cigarette smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Severe limb trauma can result from work or play injuries and war injuries.
Amputation refers to the surgical extraction of a portion or the entirety of a limb. This procedure may become necessary when there is permanent loss of blood supply to the limb or in certain cases of cancer. However, due to advancements in medical treatments, amputation is now a relatively infrequent operation.
In cases where the blood flow to a limb has been compromised due to peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis or diabetes mellitus, the act of amputation becomes necessary. When it becomes impossible to restore the blood supply, amputation is performed to avert the onset of gangrene, which is the condition of tissue death.
In certain cases, the surgical procedure known as amputation may also be employed as a preventive measure to halt the progression of bone cancer or malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Furthermore, in situations where a limb has suffered irreversible harm due to an accident, the consideration of amputation as a viable option may arise.
During the surgical procedure, incisions are made in the skin and muscle below the intended bone severing point, creating flaps that will serve as a foundation for the formation of a fleshy stump in the future. The blood vessels are carefully tied off, the bone is precisely sawn through, and the area is cleansed with a saline solution. Finally, the flaps of skin and muscle are skillfully stitched over the sawn end of the bone, resulting in the creation of a seamless and rounded stump.
In cases where a prosthesis is to be installed, the surgeon takes precautions to ensure that nerves are cut at a significant distance from the stump, aiming to minimize the potential occurrence of pressure-related discomfort. For ankle amputations, such as Syme’s amputation, the resilient skin of the heel pad is preserved to serve as a protective covering for the stump, thereby reducing the necessity for a prosthetic foot.
Following the surgery, it is typical for the stump to experience swelling for approximately six weeks. Additionally, individuals may encounter a disconcerting sensation that the amputated limb is still present, a phenomenon referred to as “phantom limb.” Once the stump has healed and the swelling has subsided, a prosthesis will be fitted if deemed necessary.
The surgical excision of a limb or another body part.