Objective criteria accurately predict amputation following lower extremity trauma. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • MESS (Mangled Extremity Severity Score) is a simple rating scale for lower extremity trauma, based on skeletal/soft-tissue damage, limb ischemia, shock, and age. Retrospective analysis of severe lower extremity injuries in 25 trauma victims demonstrated a significant difference between MESS values for 17 limbs ultimately salvaged (mean, 4.88 +/- 0.27) and nine requiring amputation (mean, 9.11 +/- 0.51) (p less than 0.01). A prospective trial of MESS in lower extremity injuries managed at two trauma centers again demonstrated a significant difference between MESS values of 14 salvaged (mean, 4.00 +/- 0.28) and 12 doomed (mean, 8.83 +/- 0.53) limbs (p less than 0.01). In both the retrospective survey and the prospective trial, a MESS value greater than or equal to 7 predicted amputation with 100% accuracy. MESS may be useful in selecting trauma victims whose irretrievably injured lower extremities warrant primary amputation.

publication date

  • May 1, 1990

Research

keywords

  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Leg Injuries

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0025286528

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/00005373-199005000-00007

PubMed ID

  • 2342140

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 30

issue

  • 5