Since the 1970’s, there have been suggestions to develop a formal curriculum and protocol for performing field extremity amputations. Several events since this time, including the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, have demonstrated the potential need for such a program. However, a curriculum including a didactic lecture and skills demonstration for this high risk, low frequency procedure has never been established. This instructional video serves as a bridge between the prehospital environment and definitive surgical treatment. It includes a brief historical background, indications and equipment necessary for performing the procedure and finally a surgical demonstration of a lower extremity amputation performed on a cadaver.
Field Amputation: An Introduction This video serves as a basic introduction for performing a field amputation. It includes a brief historical background on field amputations, and includes indications and necessary equipment.
Field Upper Extremity Amputation This video reviews the basic steps for performing a field upper extremity amputation.
Field Lower Extremity Amputation This video reviews the basic steps for performing a field lower extremity amputation.
For questions or more information, please contact Ronald G. Pirrallo, MD, MHSA