Limb Salvage Surgery: Prognosis, Success Factors, and Complications

Limb salvage surgery aims to preserve a limb threatened by trauma, tumor, infection, or vascular disease.

Prognosis

Many patients achieve functional limb preservation and avoid amputation. Success depends on:

• Injury severity/type: Gustilo-Anderson grade (trauma), tumor stage, infection extent.
• Patient factors: Age, comorbidities (diabetes, PAD, smoking), nutrition, compliance.
• Timing: Early debridement/stabilization improves outcomes.
• Surgical expertise: Orthoplastic approach (orthopedics + plastic surgery) optimizes coverage and reconstruction.
• Rehabilitation: Structured PT/OT is critical for functional recovery.

Potential Complications

• Infection (deep, hardware-related)
• Nonunion / malunion
• Flap failure (if free flap used)
• Chronic pain, neuropathy
• Late amputation (if salvage fails)

Multidisciplinary team (ortho, plastics, vascular, ID, rehab) maximizes success.