Military vascular injuries in Croatia

A single-centre experience of military vascular injuries in the recent conflict in Yugoslavia is reviewed. From 1 April to 13 December 1991, 1020 casualties were admitted to the Surgical Clinic at the Teaching Faculty of the University in Zagreb, Croatia. A total of 120 injured blood vessels in 76 patients were treated in the department of vascular surgery. Casualties were transported to the hospital after treatment by forward surgical facilities. The transportation time ranged from 3 to 18 (mean 7) h. The most common injuries were to the popliteal artery (12.5%) and brachial veins (10.0%). After segmental resection, arterial and venous revascularization with saphenous vein graft interposition was the preferred option. Twenty-six fasciotomies were performed because of compartment syndrome. Indications for six amputations included sepsis, deep vein thrombosis and extensive myonecrosis. Concomitant bone fractures were stabilized by an external fixator in 90.4% of cases. Vascular injuries were repaired before orthopaedic stabilization. Completion arteriography was used to delineate concomitant distal lesions.