[Post-traumatic arterial aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas]

The authors report 49 cases of arterial pseudo-aneurysm or post-traumatic arterio-venous fistula of the limbs, neck and face. Operations were carried out as early as possible without observing the usual 3 months delay. Restoration of arterial continuity was always attempted in the common carotid artery and the main limb vessels. Out of 35 attempts, vascular permeability was restored definitely in 22 cases, doubtfully (comparatively poor pulse) in 4 cases. In 7 cases, the functional result was good in spite of the absence of permeability of the reconstructed vessel. The series studied included one death due to arterio-venous fistula at the base of the neck, one case of partial distal gangrene and one case of secondary hemorrhage which was cured by ligature. The 14 cases of distal or collateral aneurysm were treated by resection and ligature without any post-operative complications. The proximity of the nerves adds to the difficulty of this form of surgery in the axilla, at the root of the thigh and in the parotid area.