A Case of Above Knee Amputation with Preoperative High Risks / Journal of Rural Medicine

ABSTRACT

An 85-year-old malnourished man was admitted with ischemia-induced necrosis of the rightleg and high-risk factors, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, andinfection of the necrotic leg. We controlled the infection and provided proper nutrition.Using light general anesthesia and a nerve block, we amputated the leg above the knee. Thepatient could eat and drink the same day following the surgery, and respiratoryrehabilitation was begun the next day. His postoperative course was uneventful. Our casesuggests that maintenance of good nutrition may play a key role for high-risk eldersundergoing leg amputation.