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. 2009 Oct;33(5):1449-53.
doi: 10.1007/s00264-009-0810-5. Epub 2009 May 28.

Pattern of limb amputation in a Kenyan rural hospital

Julius A Ogeng'o  1 , Moses M Obimbo, John King'ori
Affiliations

Pattern of limb amputation in a Kenyan rural hospital

Julius A Ogeng'o et al. Int Orthop. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Causes of limb amputations vary between and within countries. In Kenya, reports on prevalence of diabetic vascular amputations are conflicting. Kikuyu Hospital has a high incidence of diabetic foot complications whose relationship with amputation is unknown. This study aimed to describe causes of limb amputations in Kikuyu Hospital, Kenya. Records of all patients who underwent limb amputation between October 1998 and September 2008 were examined for cause, age and gender. Data were analysed using the statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 11.50. One hundred and forty patients underwent amputation. Diabetic vasculopathy accounted for 11.4% of the amputations and 69.6% of the dysvascular cases. More prevalent causes were trauma (35.7%), congenital defects (20%), infection (14.3%) and tumours (12.8%). Diabetic vasculopathy, congenital defects and infection are major causes of amputation. Control of blood sugar, foot care education, vigilant infection control and audit of congenital defects are recommended.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Traumatic causes of amputation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Types of tumours that caused amputations
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Age distribution of amputees
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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