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Page 6 of 7 Zargaran et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:10 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2022.42

Limitations
The main limitation of this study is its retrospective nature. Our methodology draws on the (validated)
[18]
retrospective use of the EQ-5D questionnaire in an orthopaedic population . Our small sample size and
the lack of a control group could be enhanced with future work, although it is important to note that the
novelty of the intervention precluded greater patient recruitment.

Conclusions
In this study, TMR appears to have improved the quality of the lives of a small cohort of upper limb
amputees with NP and PLP. This improvement was evident across many metrics, and more broadly in
quality-of-life assessments. The implications of these findings require further analysis, including
randomized control trials to potentially inform policy and national commissioning to ensure equitable
access to this type of surgery for patients who have experienced limb loss.

DECLARATIONS
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge Tamar Makin for her help with the study.

Authors’ contributions
Made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the study and performed data analysis and
interpretation: Zargaran D, Nagra R, Zargaran A, Akella M, Ajam Y, Woollard A, Kang N

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
All patients agreed to participate in this study.

Consent for publication
Informed consent of the patient has been obtained.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023.

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