Civil War Amputation Surgery Mortality Rates

Civil War amputation surgery was distressingly common and carried a high mortality rate. Contrary to common thinking, almost all amputation surgery was carried out under ether or chloroform anesthesia and morphine was readily available for post-operative care. The main problem in amputation that caused a high mortality was wound infection. The following is the mortality rate suffered by Union soldiers with the described level of amputation toes – 6% below the knee – 33% at the knee – 58% thigh – 54% hip joint – 83% fingers – 3% forearm – 14% upper arm – 24 % The post Civil War Amputation Surgery Mortality Rates appeared first on InsideSurgery Medical Information Blog.
Source: Inside Surgery - Category: Surgeons Authors: Tags: History of Surgery and Medicine Trauma Surgery Source Type: blogs