Impact of a Lower Extremity Amputation Pathway Protocol in Dysvascular Patients

Impact of a Lower Extremity Amputation Pathway Protocol in Dysvascular Patients

The LEAP protocol is a prospective cohort study of dysvascular patients designed to determine whether implementation of a multi-disciplinary lower extremity amputation protocol in the peri-operative period can shorten post-operative length of stay in patients undergoing trans-tibial or trans-femoral amputations. A consecutive sample of patients diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes requiring major lower extremity amputation will be enrolled in the study and compared to retrospective controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients >18 years of age diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus
• Patients undergoing trans-tibial or trans-femoral amputations

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing amputation for trauma, malignancy, or necrotizing fasciitis with no dysvascular diagnosis
• Patients who have previously undergone an amputation
• Patients who were unable to function independently prior to admission
• Patients admitted to the ICU prior to surgery
• Attending surgeon does not approve of the patient being enrolled
• Prisoners
• Pregnant women