BACKGROUND: We live in a period of epidemic of trauma. Amputation due to trauma affects a young and economically active population, with costly socioeconomic consequences, becoming a public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the series of amputations performed at Santa Casa de Campo Grande Hospital between 2005 and 2008. METHODS: Prevalence, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study. Convenience sampling was used to conduct a systematic review of medical records of patients undergoing lower and/or upper limb amputations whose diagnosis was trauma incompatible with reconstruction. Patients who arrived at the emergency department with amputated limbs were excluded from the study. We assessed the level of amputation, age, sex, and MESS score for amputation after trauma. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used considering a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: One hundred and eight amputations were performed in the period. Patients' two to 78 years; mean age was 36.7 ± 12 years, and median age was 35 years. Most patients were males (72%). The most frequent level of amputation was minor amputations (toes and fingers). The most common cause of amputation was injury resulting from traffic accidents. CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with the literature, trauma amputations affect a young and productive population, with prevalence of traffic accidents with associated orthopedic and neurological injuries.
amputation; disarticulation; trauma
