The Military Extremity Trauma Amputation/Limb Salvage (METALS) Study Outcomes of Amputation Compared with Limb Salvage Following Major Upper-Extremity Trauma

摘要

Background: Severe upper-extremity injuries account for almost one-half of all extremity trauma in recent conflicts in the Global War on Terror. Few long-term outcomes studies address severe combat-related upper-extremity injuries. This study's objective was to describe long-term functional outcomes of amputation compared with those of limb salvage in Global War on Terror veterans who sustained severe upper-extremity injuries. Limb salvage was hypothesized to result in better arm and hand function scores, overall functional status, and quality of life, with similar pain interference.