The Problematic Sequelae in Amputation of the Fingers

After amputation of the extremities, many patients developed problematic sequelae such as loss of function, cosmetic point of view, and psychiatric problems. For period of eleven yesrs from 1976 to 1986, we performed amputation of the fingers in 461 persons, and problematic sequelae were noted in 181 cases of 105 persons. The results were as follows : 1. Causes of the amputation were trauma, infection, burn, frost bite, tumors, and vascular diseases in that order of frequency. 2. Problematic sequelae of the fingers were scar contracutre, scanty soft tissue, neuroma, bony spur formation, deformities, hypersensitivity, ulceration, phantom pain, and depression in that order of frequency. 3. Problematic sequelae in amputation of the fingers could be classified as functional, cosmetic and psychiatric problems. In most instances, the primary concern of a particular patient was amputation itself, and this kind of psychiatric problems should be taken into consideration in the treatment of the amputated fingers.