[Surgical strategy in traumatic lesions of the popliteal artery]

An examination and treatment of 32 patients with injured popliteal arteries are analyzed. Among the etiological factors there were gunshot wounds (16), crushed (4), punctured-incised (7) and blunt (7) traumas. Combined injuries of the popliteal vein were diagnosed in 12 patients, and injuries of the bones--in 16 patients. Errors were made in 19 cases at the prehospital stage: late diagnosis of the injury (11), transporting the patient in the state of shock (5), ligation of the popliteal artery (3). The term of extremity ischemia more than 8 hours was noted in 13 admitted patients. Decompensation of circulation was diagnosed in 22 patients. The primary amputation was performed on 6 patients with moist gangrene. Vascular reconstructions were made in 26 cases including the autovenous prosthesis and circular suture. Secondary amputations were fulfilled to 6 patients. Three patients died. Good results were obtained in 20 cases.