OBJECTIVETo analyze retrospectively the surgical treatment of 21 cases of infected arterial injuries of the major limb hospitalized from 1989 to 2003 in our department.

METHODSAfter a radical debridement and drainage, an autologous vessel bypass reconstruction, simple vessel ligation or amputation were carried out respectively according to each patient's condition. In order to make a better milieu for the grafts, local musculo-cutaneous flaps were translocated to cover the wounds in 9 cases.

RESULTS1 case (4.8%) died during the treatment. 5 cases (5/21, 23.8%) underwent amputations. Blood supply reconstruction was successful in 15 cases (15/21, 71.4%). 93.3% (14/15) of the cases were successful in getting an unobstructed vessel at early stage. Thrombosis occurred in 1 case (1/15, 6.7%) and a sound result was obtained after a second operation.

CONCLUSIONSRadical debridement combined with bypass vessel reconstruction with autologous vein and with musculo-cutaneous flap translocation is an effective treatment for infective limb vascular injuries.