Preparation

Preparation for a transtibial amputation requires first of all the explanation of the underlying cause and the necessity of this intervention in a way that is understandable for the patient. The operation requires an inpatient hospital stay of several days or weeks, usually starting the day before the operation. The attending physicians will pause medication or schedule new medication as necessary.

Blood values such as coagulation ability and the level of red blood pigment are determined. In addition, the side of the body to be operated on is usually marked with a pen. Before the operation it is important to fast, i.e. not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the operation. The ward doctor or nurse will explicitly point this out.

Procedure of the surgery

At the beginning of the procedure of a transtibial amputation are the surgical preparations and the induction of anesthesia. As soon as this is secured, the actual operation can begin. First, an incision is made in the skin with a scalpel.

Then, as a rule, the deeper layers of tissue are freely prepared with an electric knife. An important part of the amputation operation on the lower leg is the exposure and exposure of the large blood vessels. These must be reliably closed with firmly knotted sutures to prevent secondary bleeding.

In addition, nerves in the leg must be located and severed. A local anesthetic is usually injected into the remaining nerve stump. This is intended to reduce pain signals emanating from the nerves after the operation.

In addition, the muscles of the lower leg are severed at certain settling lines and partially reattached to the bone. The bones of the tibia and fibula are cut through with a fine saw, thus enabling the actual amputation.The further course of the transtibial amputation consists of the stepwise suturing and closing of the remaining residual limb. In addition, two so-called drains are usually implanted, which convey subsequent wound secretion or blood from the surgical site.

These can usually be removed again after a few days. The operation ends with the last suture and the application of a sterile dressing to the residual limb. The anaesthetic is drained and the patient is taken to a recovery room for a few hours before being transferred back to the ward.