ABSTRACT
We evaluated the surgical treatment of patients with penetrating peripheral vascular injury.
Between January 2005 and January 2011, a total of 231 patients (184 male, 47 female and mean age 29.80 years) who underwent surgical treatment for penetrating peripheral vascular injury were evaluated retrospectively.
The causes of injuries were stab wounds in 205 (88.74%) cases and gunshot wounds in 26 (11.26%) cases. Injuries were in the upper extremity in 144 (62.33%) cases and in the lower extremity in 87 (37.67%) cases. The most common anatomical locations of vascular injuries were the radial artery (54 lesions) and superficial femoral artery (37 lesions). As treatment; primary suture in 69 (29.87%) patients, end to end anastomosis in 97 (41.99%) patients, otogenous saphenous vein interposition in 33 (14.28%) patients, synthetic graft interposition in 11 (4.76%) patients and simple ligation in 21 (9.10%) patients were performed. Amputations were performed in 6 (2.59%) patients. Mortality rate was 1.29% with 3 cases.
Early diagnosis, urgent surgical intervention, and replacement of fluid and blood play a significant role in decreasing mortality and morbidity.
Keywords: Penetrating trauma, peripheral vascular injury, emergency surgery