[Trauma of the popliteal artery. Twenty three patients treated during a 27-year-period]

Trauma of the popliteal artery is a rare event. During a period of 14 years, only 59 cases were registered in Denmark in the national register Karbase. There are several pitfalls in the management of popliteal artery lesions which may lead to an increased risk of amputation. This article analyses our own results and discusses selected topics concerning the management of popliteal artery injuries.

The records of 23 patients treated for injury of the popliteal artery over a 27-year period were reviewed. A follow-up investigation was performed. The patients' Doppler pressure was measured.

There were three (13%) amputations. At the time of follow-up, 5 of the patients were dead; 1 person was living abroad. Of the remaining 17 patients, 15 had no vascular symptoms; 2 patients had been amputated initially, and 1 patient had been treated conservatively.

Management of a popliteal artery injury can be difficult and requires an experienced approach. Our results reveal excellent long-term patency of the vascular reconstruction with the saphenus vein. Furthermore, amputation is almost always due to major soft tissue injury or delayed surgical intervention. The amputation rate of 13% in this material is in line with that in the literature. We recommend that every patient suffering from major trauma of an extremity have a Doppler pressure measurement performed and registered during the initial evaluation in the casualty department.