A Reevaluation of the Gritti-Stokes (Above-Knee) Amputation for the Nonambulatory Patient

The Gritti-Stokes Amputation: Is It Still a Reliable Technique in the 21st Century? A Narrative Review

Lower limb amputation is a common surgical procedure performed worldwide. Many individuals require amputation due to various circumstances, with amputations occurring above or below the knee. Surgeons rely on published research to determine the most appropriate technique based on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. The Gritti-Stokes amputation (GSA) procedure, introduced in 1857, has shown positive results in terms of primary wound healing, reduced mortality rates during and after surgery, and accelerated healing and mobility. However, due to the need for highly trained surgeons and limitations in functional and cosmetic prosthesis fitting, concerns have been raised regarding its utility. Additionally, the procedure is underutilized in cases where it could potentially yield better results. This article provides a comprehensive review of the documented benefits of GSA, suitable candidate selection, limitations, various modifications, and a comparison with traditional approaches to lower limb amputation. The review is focused on evidence published in the last 100 years.

Rehabilitative outcomes with preparatory suction prostheses following traumatic Gritti-Stokes amputation: A case series

Gritti-Stokes amputation (GSA) is a knee disarticulation variant, where the femur is transected at the level of the epicondyle and the patella is fixated to the distal end. GSA results in a long residual limb with little postoperative swelling and less potential for muscular atrophy, so stable limb volume may allow the use of seal-in suction for suspension for preparatory prostheses. The purpose of this case series was to report on the efficacy of seal-in suction preparatory prostheses for 2 adults with traumatic GSA. Between October and December of 2021, 2 participants with unilateral traumatic Gritti-Stokes amputation, who had received seal-in suction suspension for their preparatory prostheses, were recruited. Information was extracted from medical charts regarding prosthetic care and mobility at preparatory and definitive prosthesis evaluation, and participants underwent standardized measurement of their residual limb and prosthesis. Duration of preparatory prosthesis use was >6 months; neither participant reported loss of suspension nor significant complications with socket fit. Participant 1 required socket replacement because of residual limb pain secondary to osteophyte formation, and Participant 2 required component replacement because of weight gain. At definitive prosthesis evaluations, both participants were unlimited community ambulators; both successfully returned to work before provision of their definitive prostheses. Results indicate that seal-in suction suspension may be viable for preparatory prostheses among adults with traumatic GSA, but knee center height discrepancies persist. GSA may yield highly functional outcomes for adults with traumatic amputation. Further research is required to substantiate these findings.

Surgical Techniques for Performing a Through-Knee Amputation: A Systematic Review and Development of an Operative Descriptive System

BACKGROUND

Through-knee amputation (TKA) carries potential biomechanical advantages over above knee amputation (AKA) in patients unsuitable for a below-knee amputation. However, concerns regarding prosthetic fit, cosmesis and wound healing have tempered enthusiasm for the operation. Furthermore, there are many described surgical techniques for performing a TKA. This frustrates attempts to compare past and future comparative data, limiting the opportunity to identify which procedure is associated with the best patient centered outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to identify all the recognized operative TKA techniques described in the literature and to develop a clear descriptive system to support future research in this area.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed, searching the OVID, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases, according to Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. Papers of any design were included if they described an operative technique for a TKA. Key operative descriptions were captured and used to design a classification system for surgical techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 906 papers were identified, of which 28 are included. The most important distinctions in operative technique were the level of division of the femur (disarticulation without bone division, transcondylar amputation, with or without shaving of the medial, lateral, and posterior condyles and supracondylar amputation), management of the patella (kept whole, partially preserved, completely removed), use of a muscular gastrocnaemius flap, and skin incisions. A 4-component classification system was developed to be able to describe TKA operative techniques. A suggested shorthand nomenclature uses the first letter of each component (FPMS; Femur, Patella, Muscular flap, Skin incision), followed by a number, to describe the operation. Patient outcomes were poorly reported, and therefore outcomes for different types of TKA are not addressed in this review.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel descriptive system for describing different techniques for performing a TKA has been developed. This classification system will help in reporting, comparing, and interpreting past and future studies of patients undergoing TKA.

A review of through-knee amputation

OBJECTIVES

Through-knee amputation is an umbrella term for several different surgical techniques, which may affect clinical and functional outcomes. This makes it hard to evaluate the benefits and need for a through-knee amputation approach. This article seeks to (1) determine the number of through-knee amputation performed compared with other major lower limb amputations in England over the past decade; (2) identify the theoretical concepts behind through-knee amputation surgical approaches and their potential effect on functional and clinical outcomes and (3) provide a platform for discussion and research on through-knee amputation and surgical outcomes.

METHODS

National Health Service Hospital Episodes Statistics were used to obtain recent numbers of major lower limb amputations in England. EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched using a systematic approach with predefined criteria for relevant literature on through-knee amputation surgery.

RESULTS

In the past decade, 4.6% of major lower limb amputations in England were through-knee amputations. Twenty-six articles presenting through-knee amputation surgical techniques met our criteria. These articles detailed three through-knee amputation surgical techniques: the classical approach, which keeps the femur intact and retains the patella; the Mazet technique, which shaves the femoral condyles into a box shape and the Gritti-Stokes technique, which divides the femur proximal to the level of the condyles and attaches the patella at the distal cut femur.

CONCLUSIONS

Through-knee amputation has persisted as a surgical approach over the past decade, with three core approaches identified. Studies reporting clinical, functional and biomechanical outcomes of through-knee amputation frequently fail to distinguish between the three distinct and differing approaches, making direct comparisons difficult. Future studies that compare through-knee amputation approaches to one another and to other amputation levels are needed.

A modified Gritti-Stokes amputation technique as a solution for recurring aseptic loosening of a knee arthroplasty: A single-patient case study

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 56-year-old man with persistent knee pain and poor physical functioning due to recurring loosening of a (revised) total knee arthroplasty, was treated with a modified Gritti-Stokes amputation.

OBJECTIVES

to describe the modified Gritti-Stokes amputation technique as an ultimate therapy for failed total knee arthroplasty and to assess the functional outcome for one patient 1 year post-surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

a single patient case study.

TREATMENT

a modified Gritti-Stokes amputation, with removal of the overlying cartilage and subchondral surfaces of both the patella and femur after removing the total knee arthroplasty.

OUTCOMES

After rehabilitation, the patient has a fully end-bearing residual limb, is able to walk without pain (with a prosthesis) and perform his daily activities.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of recurring loosening of a (revised) total knee arthroplasty, a modified Gritti-Stokes amputation can create an end-bearing residual limb without pain and with good functional outcome.