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Objective Criteria Accurately Predict Amputation following Lower Extremity Trauma
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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. In both retrospective and prospective studies, MESS values were significantly higher for amputated limbs (mean 9.11 vs 4.88, and 8.83 vs 4.00) and a score ≥7 predicted amputation with 100 % accuracy, supporting its use to identify patients needing primary amputation.
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 < 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 < 0.01). In both the retrospective survey and the prospective trial, a MESS value ≥7 predicted amputation with 100% accuracy. MESS may be useful in selecting trauma victims whose irretrievably injured lower extremities warrant primary amputation.