The problem of vascular shotgun injuries: diagnostic and management strategy

This report details our diagnostic and management protocol derived from experience with 11 consecutive shotgun injuries. The injured vessels in nine men and one woman were: brachial artery (6), femoral artery (2), iliac artery (1), tibioperoneal trunk (1), and axillary vein (1). All those with arterial injuries had evidence of distal ischemia; 60% had absent distal pulses. Preoperative arteriography was obtained in seven who were stable and proved useful in outlining the local extent of their vascular injury as well as delineating available distal run-off vessels. Routine chest x-ray revealed evidence of pulmonary or cardiac missile emboli in three. Patients underwent primary repair (4), saphenous vein graft (4), and prosthetic graft (1). Associated venous disruption was noted in all patients with primary arterial injuries; this was either repaired (5/10) or ligated (4/10). Five patients had completion arteriograms, two of which revealed unsuspected distal arterial-arterial emboli. Associated soft tissue destruction included seven nerve injuries and three instances of extensive compartment injury which required fasciotomy. Average follow-up time was nine months, with the majority of complications due to associated nerve damage or soft tissue loss. We have evolved the following strategy: 1) After hemodynamic resuscitation, stable patients undergo arteriography to define the anatomic origin of complex injuries; 2) Surgery commences with rapid proximal and distal control of disrupted segments; 3) Following vessel debridement, continuity is restored either by primary repair or by an autogenous graft which is placed to allow coverage by viable muscle or by soft tissue; 4) On-table completion arteriograms evaluate patency and provide evidence of distal arterial emboli; 5) Fractures are stabilized and disrupted nerves isolated for subsequent repair; and 6) Fasciotomy is performed in the presence of distal swelling or prolonged ischemia.