Profile of Amputees as Recorded at the Regional Artificial Limb Fitting Centre of West Bengal

Background: The profile of amputees shows region-wise variations in many aspects. Frequent updating of this data is essential for planning a rehabilitative programme for amputees. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to analyse the profile of amputees based on age, sex, level and aetiological variations. Materials and Methods: This observational record-based study was done through a total enumeration approach for the last 10 years of recorded data of amputees registered at the Regional Artificial Limb Fitting Centre of an apex Medical College and Hospital. Results: Overall, 736 recorded cases were analysed. The male percentage was higher with 81.25% ( n = 598, P < 0.001) of total cases and more in 30–39 years age group. Aetiological distribution showed trauma (56.79%, n = 418) as the major cause of amputation ( P = 0.001), irrespective of gender and age groups. Other noted causes were diabetes ( n = 143, 19.43%), malignancy ( n = 75, 10.19%), peripheral vascular diseases ( n = 69, 9.38%) and congenital limb deficiencies ( n = 31, 4.21%). Lower limb amputation ( n = 639, 86.82%) was far greater than upper limb variety ( P < 0.001), and amongst them, transtibial was the most common ( n = 404, 54.89%). Conclusion: This institution-based study showed predominantly male involvement with unilateral transtibial as the most common level of amputation, mostly from traumatic aetiology.