ABSTRACT

Objective:

We evaluated the surgical treatment of patients with penetrating peripheral vascular injury.

Material and Methods:

Between January 2005 and January 2011, a total of 231 patients (184 male, 47 female and mean age 29.80 years) who underwent surgical treatment for penetrating peripheral vascular injury were evaluated retrospectively.

Results:

The causes of injuries were stab wounds in 205 (88.74%) cases and gunshot wounds in 26 (11.26%) cases. Injuries were in the upper extremity in 144 (62.33%) cases and in the lower extremity in 87 (37.67%) cases. The most common anatomical locations of vascular injuries were the radial artery (54 lesions) and superficial femoral artery (37 lesions). As treatment; primary suture in 69 (29.87%) patients, end to end anastomosis in 97 (41.99%) patients, otogenous saphenous vein interposition in 33 (14.28%) patients, synthetic graft interposition in 11 (4.76%) patients and simple ligation in 21 (9.10%) patients were performed. Amputations were performed in 6 (2.59%) patients. Mortality rate was 1.29% with 3 cases.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis, urgent surgical intervention, and replacement of fluid and blood play a significant role in decreasing mortality and morbidity.