Iliac vessel injury: operative physiology related to outcome

Fifty-three patients treated at a level I trauma center with iliac vessel injury were studied to determine if body temperature and acid-base status in the operating room predicts outcome.

Records were reviewed for demographics, mechanism of injury, body temperature, acid-base status, operative management, and outcome. Statistical methods included Student's t test, odds ratio determination, and chi-square analysis to determine statistical significance.

Fifty-three patients (47 male, 6 female) sustained 92 iliac vascular injuries (36 arterial, 56 venous). Mortality was 34%, with 72% of deaths due to shock within 24 hours. Physiologic parameters differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors. Odds ratio identified six conditions; the number present predicted outcome.

(1) There are significant differences between initial and final operating room temperature and acid-base status in survivors versus nonsurvivors with iliac vessel injury. Conditions for odds ratio can be calculated and correlated with outcome. (2) A patient with two or more conditions should be considered for an abbreviated laparotomy to allow for reversal of "physiologic failure."