HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Arvind Kohli Permission Requests Google Scholar Articles by Kohli, A. Articles by Singh, G. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kohli, A. Articles by Singh, G.

Management of Extremity Vascular Trauma: Jammu Experience

Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Government Medical College, Jammu, India

For reprint information contact: Arvind Kohli, MCh, Tel: 91 94191 83529, Fax: 91 191 258 4247, Email: drarvind7{at}sancharnet.in, 39 B/D Gandhi Nagar, Jammu (J&K), PIN 180004, India.

Experience in 111 patients treated for extremity vascular trauma between 1995 and 2004 is described. Only 40 (36%) patients presented within 6 hours of sustaining the injury. Penetrating injuries due to stabbing and gunshots were the causes in 65 patients, and blunt trauma in 46. There were associated bone fractures in 73 patients. The brachial artery was the most commonly injured upper limb vessel, whereas the femoral vessels were most often damaged in the lower limb. Surgical procedures consisted of end-to-end anastomosis in 50 patients, an interposition graft in 32, lateral arteriorrhaphy in 14, ligation in 6 and venous patch plasty in 5. Concomitant artery and vein repair was carried out in 12 patients, 6 underwent embolectomy and fasciotomy was performed in 16. Three (2.7%) patients died postoperatively. Good blood flow was obtained after repair in 69 (62%) patients, 29 (26%) had collateral compensation, 5 underwent primary amputation and 5 required secondary amputation. Most vascular injuries due to limb trauma can be managed successfully unless associated with severe damage to bones, nerves or soft tissues.