Procedure 57

Below-Knee Amputation

The level of amputation is determined preoperatively. With the patient supine, a pneumatic tourniquet is applied on the proximal thigh.

A and B, The line of incision for the anterior and posterior flaps is marked on the skin, and the anteroposterior diameter of the leg at the level of bone section is measured. The anterior flap can be fashioned slightly longer than the posterior flap, or they may be of equal length, because the position of the scar is not important in terms of prosthetic fitting. The length of each flap is half the anteroposterior diameter of the leg.