Amputation of a limb associated with severe burn is an uncommon complication.
Risk factors for limb amputation in a patient with severe burn:
(1) need to extract the patient
(2) severe trauma or injury with nonviable limb (crush, massive electric, etc)
(3) fourth degree burn with vascular thrombosis and limb ischemia
(4) compartment syndrome with limb ischemia
(5) severe infection
Amputations may be immediate, acute or delayed.
Factors affecting rehabilitation:
(1) degree of mobility (vs complete immobility)
(2) psychiatric disease
(3) delayed amputation
(4) resolution of complications (vs continuing ischemia and infection)
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
