Overview of Epidemiological and Etiological Amputation in Kisangani Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Background: Amputations and disarticulation of the limbs are becoming a public health problem. Goal: To describe the epidemiological and etiological aspects of limb amputation in Kisangani. Methods: A retrospective study of three health facilities in the city of Kisangani: Kisangani Clinical University, General Hospital Makiso-Kisangani Reference and Kabondo Reference General Hospital from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2014 counted 62 cases of amputation. Results: The prevalence of 14.69% of all interventions of limbs. The age group of 57 - 75 years is the most concerned and the male/female sex ratio is 2.9/1. The unemployed are most affected 51.6%. The lower limb is concerned in 88.7%, including 30.6% in the lower leg and the right side is reached in 56.5% of cases. Diabetic gangrene (30.1%) is criminalized followed by traumatism (27.4%). The mortality rate is 17.8%. Conclusion: The amputation of limbs is a situation encountered in Kisangani. The adult male is most affected. Diabetic gangrene and open fractures are the most encountered causes. Mortality is high. The early management of diabetics and open fractures is a mandatory.