| Abstrakt: |
It is postulated that mankind's acceptance of amputees is necessary before elective surgical amputations are undertaken. Even so, some societies do not countenance elective surgery, usually for religious reasons, despite the presence of amputees of congenital, traumatic and punitive or legal origin sanctioned by the same societies. Hence, the wish of a patient to live with three limbs than to die with four, even with the acquiescence of a surgeon, carries no weight unless supported by their communities. Before anaesthesia, painful amputation was often endured stoically, paradoxically bolstered by intense religious conviction. For the surgeon, the former dilemmas concerning if, when and where to amputate, and how to alleviate pain, prevent haemorrhage and infection, have diminished by utilising modern supportive measures. Limb reimplantation is now possible, although not always successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
