CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOME OF MAJOR LOWER LIMB AMPUTATIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL Nishanthan A A, Sarangan S, Kalaventhan P, Prasath S, Gooneratne T D, Ubayasiri R Teaching Hospital Karapitiya Introduction Amputation is considered the last modality of surgical treatment when limb salvage measures fails. Diabetic foot infection and Peripheral arterial disease are the leading causes of major amputation of the lower limb. Annually 15,000 (0.75%) of Sri Lankan Diabetics loosing their legs due to infected foot ulcers. Conclusion DM and PAD are the commonest causes for major LL amputations. Diabetic amputations are at a higher risk of stump complications and in-hospital mortality which corresponds with international studies. Results Amputations performed were below knee (54%,n=47),above knee (n=39) and disarticulation at knee and hip(1.1%). Common causes for amputation were diabetic foot infection (39.8%), peripheral vascular disease(34.4%) and trauma. 36 patients(40.9%) had post-operative stump complications. [stump infection(25%), wound dehiscence(8%)] Diabetes was strongly associated with stump infection(p=0.03). 5 patients underwent re-amputation at a higher level during the hospital stay. Methods A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted among patients who underwent major lower limb amputation at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya from October 2015 to October 2016. 88 patients underwent major lower limb amputation during the period of study. Mean age was 63.34(±14.59) years, 47/88(53.4%) were male.