摘要：Abstract Background: Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) presenting with irreversible lower limb pathology has a high morbidity and mortality rate. This study aimed to determine the outcome of patients who underwent lower limb amputations (LLAs) because of PVD at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein, 2008–2011. Methods: Prospective data collection of a retrospective cohort study group was performed. Included were patients with PVD-induced LLAs. Demographic and contact information was collected from Meditech. Living status (alive or dead) was determined using the Department of Home Affairs database and interviews with relatives. Results: Of the study population (n = 224), 119 had contact information. Data of 158 people were available to determine living status: 71.5% had died by follow-up in 2014. Forty-nine interviews were possible, 31 patients had died, with cause of death reported to be primarily vascular related. The cumulative mortality showed that 16.1% died within a month and 48.4% within one year post-amputation. Among the 18 living amputees, 50.0% became unemployed, 77.8% used wheelchairs, 11.1% used crutches and 11.1% a prosthesis. Conclusion: Lower limb amputation due to PVD is indicative of a poor prognosis. In our study only 28.5% of patients survived 3–6 years post-amputation. Restoration to ideal mobility was achieved in a minority of cases.
