Amputation

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for such problems.

Types

Types of amputation include:

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• leg
• amputation of digits
• partial foot amputation (Chopart, Lisfranc)
• ankle disarticulation (Syme, Pyrogoff)
• below-knee amputation (transtibial)
• knee-bearing amputation (knee disarticulation)
• above knee amputation (transfemoral)
• hip disarticulation
• hemipelvectomy
• arm
• amputation of digits
• metacarpal amputation
• wrist disarticulation
• forearm amputation (transradial)
• elbow disarticulation
• above-elbow amputation (transhumeral)
• shoulder disarticulation and forequarter amputation

Hemicorporectomy is the most radical amputation. Genital modification and mutilation often involves amputating tissue, although it is usually not a result of injury or disease.

Related Topics:
Hemicorporectomy - Genital modification and mutilation

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As a rule, partial amputations are preferred to preserve joint function, but in oncological surgery, disarticulation is favored.

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