Systematic review describing the effect of early mobilisation after dysvascular major lower limb amputations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of early mobilisation of patients after dysvascular lower limb amputation and to compare the effectiveness of different mobilisation regimens.

BACKGROUND: Patients who have undergone dysvascular major lower limb amputations are at high risk of postoperative complications, which include loss of basic functions, and early mobilisation interventions might prevent these complications.

DESIGN: Systematic review.

METHODS: Systematic searches were performed on PubMed (including MEDLINE), CINAHL and EMBASE databases to identify studies investigating the effects of (early) mobilisation interventions in dysvascular lower limb-amputated patients. Data collection and quality assessment were performed using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care Review Group data collection checklist and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, respectively.

RESULTS: Five studies were included in the review: four pre- to post-case studies and one randomised controlled study. However, none of these studies were of high quality. Four studies investigated early mobilisation promoted by immediate postoperative prosthesis. One study investigated whether reorganizing care increases mobilisation and thereby functional outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review reveals a lack of evidence to determine whether early mobilisation interventions are beneficial to this vulnerable patient group. Nevertheless, ambulation from the first postoperative day with temporary prosthesis is possible among the heterogeneous population of dysvascular lower limb-amputated patients if the necessary interdisciplinary team is dedicated to the task.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Mobilisation is a fundamental care task often missed for several reasons. Moreover, mobilisation of the newly amputated patient is complex, and knowledge of effective strategies to promote postoperative mobilisation in this vulnerable population is desired. Nurses are urged to take responsibility for this fundamental care task and to engage the necessary collaborative interdisciplinary team to develop, implement and evaluate ambitious early mobilisation interventions.