Following amputation of part or all of an extremity, there is a reduction in blood volume. This decrease in blood volume must be taken into account during post-operative blood replacement in order not to result in fluid overload and heart failure. Blood volume can be estimated from body surface area, weight and/or height. In some circumstances a direct measure of blood volume may be necessary.
Percent of Body Surface Area (from data of Lund and Browder)
Age
hand and forearm
upper arm
foot and lower leg
thigh
buttock
0-1 years
5.5
4
8.5
5.5
2.5
1-4 years
5.5
4
8.5
6.5
2.5
5-9 years
5.5
4
9
8
2.5
10-14
5.5
4
9.5
8.5
2.5
15
5.5
4
10
9
2.5
adult
5.5
4
10.5
9.5
2.5
Percent of Body Weight by Body Component
Body Component
Percent
hand and forearm
3.1
upper arm
3.5
foot and lower leg
7.1
thigh
11.6
buttock
2.5 (estim)
Note: "Buttock" is intended for situations where a hindquarter amputation is performed. The per cent reduction in body weight is based on the per cent body surface area in the table above, and needs to be corrected.
In the event that more than amputation episode occurs, as may happen in diabetics, it is important to estimate the original body surface area and body weight, as the per cent reductions are based on the intact person.
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