[Treatment of limb injuries at a regional center]

The objective of the study was to analyse the causes of injury, surgical approaches, outcome, and complications with vascular trauma in patients operated on over a period between 1986-2006.

In 128 patients with peripheral arterial injuries the mechanism was direct penetration in 90 cases and blunt injury in 30 cases. In 8 cases a chronic damage (false aneurysm, AV fistula) was observed. Isolated vascular trauma was present in 97 patients (75.8%), 31 cases (24.2%) were complicated by concomitant bone fractures,and nerve or soft tissue damage. Most frequently injured vessels were the superficial femoral (22.6%) crural (22.6%),and ulnar and radial (13.2%) arteries.

In 132 cases operation had to be performed. Direct suture 26, interposition in arterial injuries 26, interposition in venous injuries 5, end to end anastomosis in 12 cases, venous patches in 7 cases were the operation method. In 28 cases non-reconstructive operation was carried out, and there were 4 endovascular procedures. Five secondary amputations were performed and five patients died. The limb salvage rate was 95%.

Most vascular injuries of the extremities can be managed successfully unless associated with severe concomitant damage of the bones, nerves and soft tissues.