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Amputation - traumatic   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Loss of a body part

Definition:

Traumatic amputation is the accidental loss of a body part -- usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg.

Considerations

In a complete amputation, the extremity is totally severed; in a partial amputation, some soft-tissue connection remains. Sometimes these parts can be reattached, especially when proper care is taken of the severed part and stump.

There are various complications associated with amputation of a body part. The most important of which are bleeding, shock, and infection (see wounds for more information).

The long-term outcome for amputees has improved as a result of enhanced early emergency and critical care management, new surgical techniques, early rehabilitation, prosthesis fitting, and new prosthesis design. New limb replantation techniques have been moderately successful, but incomplete nerve regeneration remains a major limiting factor.

Causes

Traumatic amputations usually result directly from factory, farm, or power tools, or from motor vehicle accidents.

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