Pattern of Upper Limb Amputations in Kenyatta National Hospital: a Five-year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Upper limb amputations contributes about 8-20% of the total amputations done compared to lower limb amputations contributing about 75-90%. However, it causes more functional losses and psychological trauma on amputees, the bulk of whom are in the working and productive age group. Trauma causes the bulk of amputations followed by dysvascular conditions, infection, tumours and congenital malformations. There is a paucity of data on the subject in developing countries, a situation that hinders the development of workplace and occupational safety procedures, rehabilitation protocols, development and availability of suitable prostheses Objectives: The study will establish the demographic characteristics, levels and indications of upper limb amputations at Kenyatta National Hospital Study setting: Department of Records/Health Information at KNH Study design: Descriptive retrospective study Subjects: Two hundred and ninety-nine (299) patients who underwent upper limb amputations at KNH between 1st February 2018 to 31st January 2023 Results: The age range was from 2 months to 83 years with a mean age of 30 years. The highest number of amputees were in the 19-30 years age group, had primary education (44.5%) and were unemployed (44.2%). The leading indications were Trauma 83.9%, infections 6.0%, vascular abnormalities 3.0%, congenital abnormalities 2.7%, burns 2.3%, and tumors 2.0%. Accidental lacerations caused the bulk of traumatic amputations. Trans phalangeal amputation was the most common level of amputation (76.2%) Conclusion: Upper limb amputation is a common procedure in KNH. Trauma causes the bulk of the cases, majority of which are machine and workplace related, further studies are required into this area to guide in development of policy that enhance occupational safety