Traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas in Nigeria

Traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas may be as common in the developing and less industrialized countries as they are in the developed countries. In a 4 year period 12 cases of traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas were seen at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria. Nine of these resulted from civilian injuries while 3 were due to military activities. The femoral vessels were involved in 7 cases while the extracranial carotid arteries were injured in 2 cases. Gunshots accounted for 6 lesions. Metal fragments and knife stabs were responsible for 2 cases respectively. All the 3 arteriovenous fistulas involved the femoral vessels--2 superficial and one deep. The vascular lesions were assessed by arteriography in 9 cases. All but one case were treated by excision, the vessels being reconstructed in 7 cases. There was one death due to septicemia.