Injury
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Review Meta Analysis
Outcomes in lower limb amputation following trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lower limb amputation (LLA) is life-changing surgery. Shorter residual limbs are known to place greater physiological strain on patients than longer residual limbs; however, there is ongoing debate as to whether through-knee amputations are preferable to above-knee amputations. This analysis aims to resolve this question by systematically collecting and pooling published and unpublished data on this subject. ⋯ This study describes the impact of LLA of different levels on patients' lives. The results indicate that patients with a TKA have a better physical quality of life than those with an AKA and, therefore, support the surgical strategy of maintaining maximum length and performing TKA in preference to AKA, where possible.