399 Complex Limb Injuries – Limb Salvage vs Amputation: An Overview of the Factors Influencing Decision-Making and Outcomes

Abstract

Aim Complex limb injuries usually comprise of a combination of osseous, soft tissue, vascular and neural damage, necessitating prompt and accurate initial examination and decision-making to maximise optimal patient outcomes. We present the factors affecting the decision-making as well as the outcomes following primary limb amputation or salvage of complex extremity injuries, with an emphasis on the various scoring systems present that endeavour to offer prognostic and therapeutic guidance to orthopaedic surgeons. Method We performed the literature search on PubMed and Embase, and collated the relevant data comprising of demographics, injury, scoring system, primary and secondary outcome metrics and complications. Results Many scoring systems, each with variable factors, have been proposed to predict limb salvage vs amputation in complex extremity injury (MESS, PSI, LSI, NISSSA, HFS-97), however the landmark LEAP trial concluded in its final analysis that they could not validate them. Whilst the scores were useful in predicting limb salvage, they were inaccurate and unreliable in predicting amputation with low sensitivities Conclusions Many scoring systems attempt to provide guidance regarding decision-making in limb salvage vs primary amputation, however the LEAP study has shown poor predictive standards of these systems. As such, there is no gold standard algorithmic approach or scoring system when making this difficult decision – instead, the poor predictors of limb salvage have been identified, and the surgeons need to be judicious and make a joint decision considering these variables and other patient factors (social, economic, and psychological status).