Background: Meningococcal septicaemia is a potentially life-threatening disease and remains the most common infective cause of mortality in the UK. Improvements in healthcare have led to early recognition and treatment, and a decrease in mortality. As more children now survive the initial acute illness, the long-term musculoskeletal consequences have become more prevalent. These include growth plate injury, tissue loss and amputation. Patients with limb loss present specific difficulties due to the effect of remaining longitudinal growth on the function of the residual limb, and often require surgical treatment that continues throughout childhood. Patients and Methods: This case series reviews the histories of 13 children who underwent amputation as a complication of meningococcal septicaemia. All patients attend a specialist clinic and our experience in the management of the residual limb is described. Results: Thirteen patients, with a mean age of 16 months at the onset of meningococcal septicaemia, required amputation in the management of the skeletal consequences of the infection. Revision surgery was necessary for all 13 patients and involved management of bone overgrowth, growth arrest, scar and soft tissue contracture, neuroma development, and infection. The details of our approach to each of these complications is described. Conclusion: Due to improvements in diagnosis and initial management, a significant proportion of patients are surviving infantile meningococcal septicaemia. Many develop musculoskeletal consequences including amputation, and this case series serves to increase knowledge in the complex managements of the residual limb in these patients.
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