<b><span>Introduction: </span></b><span>During the 19</span><sup><span style="vertical-align:super;">th</span></sup><span> and 20</span><sup><span style="vertical-align:super;">th</span></sup><span> centuries, the Wars were the cause of many amputations among military and civilians.</span><span> </span><span>Despite the absence of armed conflict in our country, we notice a high frequency of major amputations in our activity.</span><span> </span><b><span>Objective: </span></b><span>The aim of this work was to study the causes of major amputations observed in our practice in order to develop preventive measures.</span><span> </span><b><span>Materials and Method</span></b><b><span>: </span></b><span>This was a descriptive retrospective study over a 6-year period, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2014.</span><span> </span><span>The following parameters were studied: epidemiological aspects (age according to WHO age groups and gender of patients), type of amputation, level of amputation and causes.</span><span> </span><b><span>Results</span></b><b><span>: </span></b><span>Two hundred and fifty-two patients were included. The distribution of amputations by cause and age group showed two distinct entities:</span><span> </span><span>The forms of the young subject where there was a predominance of tumour and traumatic causes;and the forms of the elderly person caused by vascular infections and conditions.</span><span> </span><span>Infections were the main cause of amputation in both sexes. </span><b><span>Conclusion</span></b><b><span>: </span></b><span>The causes of major limb amputations vary according to age and limb: tumor and trauma in young people and for the upper limb, infectious and vascular in the elderly and for the lower limb.</span>