Medical and Social Aspects of High Amputations in Patients with Obliterating Atherosclerosis of Lower Extremities

Obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities is one of the main causes of limb ischemia, that can result in high amputation of the lower limb (HALL). Despite the large number of publications on this subject, medical and social effects of HALL on the patients’ life are studied insufficiently. In some studies a significant impact of financial situation, the level of education, and accessibility of qualified vascular surgery care on the HALL index was stated. As this intervention is conducted in multimorbid patients, the mortality rate is about 10% during the next 30 days (it can be predicted by a number of perioperative criteria). Complications of the surgical wound were observed in 6-10% of patients. A separate problem is the severity of “phantom” pain. A risk of loss the only limb remains high in the coming years