Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1991) vol. 73, 133

Symposium on Amputations R D Rosin MS FRCS FRCSEd Formerly Penrose-May Tutor Royal College of Surgeons of England, London

Amputation is one of the oldest surgical procedures, and amputations of one kind or another have been performed since time immemorial. Whereas in previous times amputations were performed for leprosy, ergotism and punishment, today in the western world trauma, peripheral vascular disease and malignancy are the more usual causes. It might come as a surprise that there is anything left to be said about surgical technique, level of amputation or rehabilitation. It is a fact, however, that practice has not kept pace with the existing knowledge and technology. Amputation is an operation universally renowned for its problems. Traditionally, surgeons have taken a negative approach to amputation, being trained and orientated towards saving both 'life and limb'. There is often a psychological sense of failure when amputation is undertaken. Surgeons like to forget their failures and, until recently, amputees were relegated to a poor quality of life without medical support or professional help in rehabilitation.

The surgeon's responsibility should not end when the wound is healed and the sutures have been removed. The patient needs careful guidance through an emotionally difficult period and a surgeon must have knowledge of prosthetic rehabilitation. A teaching day on amputations was held at the Royal College of Surgeons of England as it was believed that most surgeons in training performed these operations but had little formal training in the wider implications of this ablative surgery. Experts from each aspect of amputations were invited to participate and a most successful day ensued. It was exceptionally well attended, and the audience participated fully with lively discussions taking place after each contribution. Many of the participants asked if they could have a synopsis of the day, or some form of lecture notes, and I therefore asked the lecturers to provide a paper based on their contribution. I believe the result to be a most comprehensive review of these unfortunate but necessary operations.

Symposium on amputation. 7 December 1987, London, England.

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1991) vol. 73, 133 Symposium on Amputations R D Rosin MS FRCS FRCSEd Formerly Penrose-May Tutor R...
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