Definition
An amputation is the complete or partial separation of a limb from the rest of the body. Thigh amputation is a surgical procedure to separate the leg above the knee joint. The thigh amputation is also called major amputation.
Indications for a transfemoral amputation
The indication for amputation is always the last word in medicine and is only given if no other conservative or surgically more tissue-conserving measures are available. In addition to the most serious accidents with non-reconstructable injuries to the leg and musculature, tumors and circulatory disorders are the most common indications for leg amputations. In particular, circulatory disorders in the context of a sugar disease (diabetes mellitus) have increased significantly in recent decades and represent the most frequent indication for amputation.
In addition to diabetes, peripheral arterial occlusive disease can also be caused by smoking and is one of the vascular diseases caused by arteriosclerosis. Other indications for a transfemoral amputation are rapidly ascending infections, such as gas gangrene or other malignant soft tissue germs, which, if they continue to ascend into the body’s circulation, cause severe blood poisoning with a greatly increased risk of death. This topic might also be of interest to you: Causes that lead to amputation
Causes for transfemoral amputation
One of the most common causes of transfemoral amputation is vascular disease, which leads to occlusion of the blood vessels due to circulatory disorders. These include peripheral arterial occlusive disease, also abbreviated as pAVK, and vascular diseases resulting from diabetes mellitus. Such vascular occlusion hinders sufficient blood flow to the leg, which can die as a result.
Another cause is the infection and colonization of the leg with bacteria. In order to prevent the bacteria from entering the rest of the body via the bloodstream and the lymphatic system and becoming a life-threatening danger, in some cases an amputation must be performed. This also applies to tumors. To prevent the tumor cells from spreading in the body, in some cases they have to be completely removed by removing the leg. In addition, injuries or congenital malformations can be the cause of a thigh amputation.
