BACKGROUND: There are no precise data on the number of amputations performed every year. However, the decrease in quality of life of patients submitted to amputation is well-known, as is the need to involve a multidisciplinary team in the rehabilitation of these individuals. OBJECTIVE: To analyze all lower limb amputations performed by the Angiology and Vascular Surgery at Hospital Universitário Regional de Maringá, from 2000 to 2006. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study was performed to review medical records of patients submitted to amputation or surgical debridement of lower limbs to treat vascular diseases or trauma. RESULTS: A total of 116 procedures were carried out (84.5% amputations and 15% debridements) in 111 patients; 78 were males and 33 were females, with a mean age of 63.4 years (4-100 years). The main etiological factors were vascular diseases (92.8%) and trauma (7.2%). The most prevalent comorbidities and risk factors were hypertension (66%), diabetes mellitus (60%), tobacco (28%) and cardiac arrhythmia (0.9%). As to schooling, 52.2% of the patients had complete elementary school, 6.5% had complete or incomplete high school, and 41.3% were illiterate. Primary amputation was performed in 94.9% of patients, and secondary amputation in 5.1%. However, there was a progressive reduction in amputation rate at each year. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of lower limb amputation was greater in males, had atherosclerotic disease as its main cause, but had progressive reduction.
Amputation; lower limbs; vascular disease; diabetic vascular disease; trauma