PURPOSE: Outcomes of peripheral arterial injury (PAI) depend on various factors, such as warm ischemia time and concomitant injuries. Suboptimal prehospital care may lead to delayed presentation, and a lack of dedicated trauma system may lead to poorer outcome. Also, there are few reports of these outcomes. The study aims to review our experience of PAI management for more than a decade, and identify the predictors of limb loss in these patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of trauma admissions at a level I trauma center from January 2008 to December 2019. Patients with acute upper limb arterial injuries or lower limb arterial injuries at or above the level of popliteal artery were included. Association of limb loss with ischemia time, mechanism of injury, and concomitant injuries was studied using multiple logistic regressions. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 15.0 (Stata Corp LLC, Texas). RESULTS: Out of 716 patients with PAI, the majority (91.9%) were young males. Blunt trauma was the most common mechanism of injury. Median ischemia time was 4 h (interquartile range 2-7 h). Brachial artery (28.5%) was the most common injured vessel followed by popliteal artery (17.5%) and femoral artery (17.3%). Limb salvage rate was 78%. Out of them, 158 (22.1%) patients needed amputation, and 53 (7.4%) had undergone primary amputation. The majority (88.6%) of patients who required primary or secondary amputations had blunt trauma. On multivariate analysis, blunt trauma, ischemia time more than 6 h and concomitant venous, skeletal, and soft tissue injuries were associated with higher odds of amputation. CONCLUSION Over all limb salvage rates was 77.9% in our series. Blunt mechanism of injury and associated skeletal and soft tissue injury, ischemia time more than 6 h portend a poor prognosis. Injury prevention, robust prehospital care, and rapid referral to specialized trauma center are few efficient measures, which can decrease the morbidity associated with vascular injury.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Vascular System Injuries/surgery* ; Limb Salvage/methods* ; Aged ; Amputation, Surgical ; Popliteal Artery/injuries*

Objective: To analyze the treatment and clinical prognosis of lower extremity arterial injury caused by trauma. Methods: The clinical data of 77 patients with traumatic lower extremity arterial injury admitted to Department of Vascular Surgery,Yichang Central People's Hospital from January 2013 to June 2021 were collected retrospectively. There were 65 males and 12 females, with an average age of 47.4 years (range: 7 to 75 years). Among the 77 patients, 56 cases (72.7%) had open injury and 21 cases (27.3%) had closed injury. Iliac artery was injured in 9 cases (11.7%), common femoral artery in 7 cases (9.1%), superficial femoral artery in 1 case (1.3%), popliteal artery in 11 cases (14.3%) and inferior knee artery in 49 cases (63.6%). The treatment methods and clinical effects were analyzed. Results: One case with pelvic fracture combined the internal iliac artery injury and 1 case with multiple injuries involving the common femoral artery died of circulatory failure before surgery. Seventy-five cases received vascular-related operations, including arterial ligation in 24 cases, arterial reconstruction in 40 cases, stent graft implantation in 1 case, primary amputation in 2 cases, and arterial embolization in 8 cases. The overall mortality rate was 6.5% (5/77), all of which were closed injuries. Except for 2 cases who died before surgery, 3 cases with pelvic fracture combined the internal iliac artery injury died of multiple organ failure after internal iliac artery embolization. There were 8 cases received amputation (10.4%, 8/77), 5 cases with closed injury and 3 cases with open injury. In addition to 2 cases with primary amputation, 6 cases underwent secondary amputation due to ischemia-reperfusion injury after revascularization (4 cases with popliteal artery injury and 2 cases with subpatellar artery injury). The average followed-up time was 17 months (range: 2 months to 8 years). One patient with femoral artery injury underwent autologous great saphenous vein bypass, and lower limb artery CT angiography was re-examined 6 months after the operation, and 30% distal anastomotic stenosis was found. Ankle brachial index<0.8 was found in two patients 1 year after popliteal artery repair, but none of the patients had intermittent claudication symptoms, and no further intervention was performed. Five patients suffered delayed healing due to severe lower limb injury, fracture and skin injury. Among them, 2 cases had poor wound healing at the stump of amputation, which gradually healed 3 to 5 months after several debridements. The other 3 vascular injury combined with tibial fracture patients had delayed tibial healing after surgery, but no symptoms of vascular ischemia occurred. All the other patients recovered well and no other serious complications occurred. Conclusions: The proportion of death and disability in patients with lower limb artery injury caused by trauma is high. Active and orderly surgical repair according to the site and type of injury can reduce the mortality, save the function of the affected limb, and promote the healing of injury.
Amputation ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Artery/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular System Injuries/surgery*

Shark attacks are rare unique pathological processes. Some of them represent devastating injuries with a high morbidity and significant mortality. Related published articles are limited. The increased human interaction within the environment of sharks is the cause of rising incidence of such attacks. This study reported a case of level 4 shark injuries (shark-induced trauma scale) in a 33-year-old male patient, who presented with an extensive injury of the right lower limb with the characteristic features of shark bite. At admission the patient was in a state of shock with profuse bleeding that was controlled by tourniquet. The patient was resuscitated according to the advanced trauma life support. Clinical examination showed hard signs of vascular injury with absent pedal pulse, associated neurological deficits and severance at the knee joint. Prompt vascular intervention after resuscitation was performed to manage the major vascular injuries, together with proper washout and debridement of all the necrotic tissues under strong antibiotic coverage to prevent infection. After that, the patient underwent sequenced plastic, orthopedic, and neurological interventions. Strict follow-up was conducted, which showed that the patient was saved and achieved a functioning limb. This study aims to highlight the management of level 4 shark injuries, which are considered serious and challenging with a high fatality rate and a great risk of amputation due to the associated major vascular injuries. Immediate well organized management plan is crucial. Prompt resuscitation and surgical intervention by a highly-skilled medical team are required to improve the chance of patient survival and limb salvage.
Adult ; Animals ; Bites and Stings/complications* ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sharks ; Vascular System Injuries/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of vascular injury occurred in oblique lateral interbody fusion for treating lumbar degenerative diseases, and put forward preventive measures. METHODS: There were 235 patients analyzed from October 2014 to May 2017 in five hospitals, who were treated with oblique lateral interbody fusion with or without posterior pedicle screw fixation. There were 79 males and 156 females with an average age of (61.9±13.5) years old (ranged from 32 to 83 years). There were 7 cases of vascular injury, including 4 cases of segmental vessel injury, 1 case of left common iliac artery injury, 1 case of left common iliac veininjury and 1 case of ovarian vein injury. RESULTS: The follow up time ranged from 6 to 36 months, averagely (15.6±7.5) months. There was no pedicle screw loosen or fracture. The low back pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±2.3 to 1.4±0.8 at the latest follow-up, which was statistically difference( CONCLUSION Oblique lateral interbody fusion technique provides a new method for minimally invasive fusion of lumbar internal fixation. However, it has a risk of vascular injury. In order to effectively prevent the occurrence of vascular injury, the operative indications and careful and meticulous operation should be strictly grasped.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular System Injuries/surgery*

PURPOSE: We compared three methods of ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block, which were single, and double perivascular (PV) infiltration techniques, and a perineural (PN) injection technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 78 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II undergoing surgery of the forearm, wrist, or hand were randomly allocated to three groups. 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 5 microg/mL was used. The PN group (n=26) received injections at the median, ulnar, and radial nerve with 8 mL for each nerve. The PV1 group (n=26) received a single injection of 24 mL at 12-o'clock position of the axillary artery. The PV2 group (n=26) received two injections of 12 mL each at 12-o'clock and 6-o'clock position. For all groups, musculocutaneous nerve was blocked separately. RESULTS: The PN group (391.2+/-171.6 sec) had the longest anesthetic procedure duration than PV1 (192.8+/-59.0 sec) and PV2 (211.4+/-58.6 sec). There were no differences in onset time. The average induction time was longer in PN group (673.4+/-149.6 sec) than PV1 (557.6+/-194.9 sec) and PV2 (561.5+/-129.8 sec). There were no differences in the success rate (89.7% vs. 86.2% vs. 89.7%). CONCLUSION: The PV injection technique consisting of a single injection in 12-o'clock position above the axillary artery in addition to a musculocutaneous nerve block is equally effective and less time consuming than the PN technique. Therefore, the PV technique is an alternative method that may be used in busy clinics or for difficult cases.
Adult ; Anesthetics, Local/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Brachial Plexus/*drug effects/*ultrasonography ; Brachial Plexus Block/adverse effects/*methods ; Female ; Forearm/surgery ; Hand/surgery ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nerves/ultrasonography ; Prospective Studies ; Single-Blind Method ; Treatment Outcome ; *Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Upper Extremity/innervation/*surgery ; Vascular System Injuries/etiology ; Wrist/surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the ischemic times of the main artery injury in the limbs and the influence on the limbs survival rate, and to analyze the reasons for the formation of the ischemia time.

METHODSFrom June 1996 to November 2012, 83 patients with completely severed limb main artery treated in our hospital were retrospectively studied. There were 77 males and 6 females, including 81 adults (ranging in age from 16 to 52 years old, with a median age of 35 years old) and 2 children (4 and 5 years old respectively). Seventy-five patients were treated with end to end anastomosis, 7 patients were treated with great saphenous vein transplantation, and 1 patient was treated with artificial blood vessel transplantation. The prior to admission ischemia time, after admission ischemia time and total ischemia time for successful and unsuccessful patients, as well as the causes of the formation of the ischemia time were studied. Limb survival rate of different ischemic time was counted. Sharpness injury or blunt injury ischemia time and amputation rate were researched statistically. All data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software.

RESULTSThere were 72 limbs survived, 11 amputated. The average ischemia time was (7.45±5.94) h for limb-salvage group and (13.73±14.00) h for amputation group. Prior to admission ischemia time between amputation and limb-salvage group had no significant difference. After admission the ischemia time in amputation group was longer than limb-salvage group. The amputation rate for ischemia time 21 to 44 h group was higher than other three groups (≤ 5 h, 6 to 10 h, 11 to 20 h) (P=0.023, 0.038, 0.044). Amputation reasons can be divided into anastomosis failure in the operation, vascular thrombosis 2 to 4 days after operation and late infection.

CONCLUSIONVascular injury limbs can tolerate longer ischemia time and the limb salvage succeed. Only too long ischemia time (> 20 h), limb amputation rate increases significantly. The main cause of long time ischemia is delayed diagnosis in the hospital. Whether limb-salvage success mainly depends on the degree of trauma and the quality of the anastomosis than ischemia time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Amputation ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; surgery ; Limb Salvage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Vascular System Injuries ; surgery

No abstract available.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Arteriovenous Fistula/diagnosis/*etiology/surgery ; Brachiocephalic Trunk/*injuries/radiography/surgery/ultrasonography ; Brachiocephalic Veins/*injuries/radiography/surgery/ultrasonography ; Dislocations/*surgery ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Female ; Heart Failure/diagnosis/*etiology ; Humans ; *Iatrogenic Disease ; Orthopedic Procedures/*adverse effects ; Reoperation ; Sternoclavicular Joint/*surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular System Injuries/diagnosis/*etiology/surgery

BACKGROUND: The management of the pulseless perfused hand in association with a supracondylar humerus fracture following operative stabilisation remains controversial. Previous authors have suggested the use of color-flow duplex monitoring, magnetic resonance angiography and segmental pressure monitoring as objective steps to ascertain blood flow following adequate internal fixation. We examine the use of the waveform of the pulse oximeter in objectively determining a perfused limb and in predicting the need for surgical exploration in patients who present with a pulseless perfused hand after operative stabilisation for supracondylar fracture of the humerus. METHODS: A retrospective review of all supracondylar fractures over a 60 month duration (2005-2009) in our instituition was performed. Each electronic record was reviewed and limbs which had absent radial pulse following admission were identified. X-ray films of each of the patients were reviewed. A search using the Pubmed database was performed with the following keywords, supracondylar humerus fracture, pediatric, pulseless, vascular injury, arterial repair. RESULTS: In this series of pulseless perfused hands following operative fixation of supracondylar fracture, a total of 26 patients were reviewed. All were Gartland grade III extension type fractures. Postoperative pulse oximeter waveforms were present in all but 4 patients. These patients subsequently had exploration of the brachial artery with significant findings. In the remaining 22 patients, waveforms were present and the child had return of the radial pulse soon after operative fixation without any further need for surgical exploration. At 24 months follow-up, all children were well with no neurovascular compromise. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a waveform on a pulse oximeter is a sensitive and easily available modality in determining vascular perfusion as compared to other more complex investigations. The high sensitivity of this test will allow surgeons to objectively determine the requirement for surgical exploration of the brachial artery.
Brachial Artery/*injuries/surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand/*blood supply ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures/complications/*surgery ; Male ; *Oximetry ; Pulse ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular System Injuries/*diagnosis/surgery

In the spirit of international exchanges of knowledge with colleagues from all over the world, who are interested in the care and treatment of vascular trauma, we offer selected historical reflections from the western world on vascular trauma. Whereas there are a number of key individuals and a variety of events that are important to us in our writing, we know essentially nothing about what is written by other cultures and, particularly, the Chinese. It is well recognized around the world that Chinese surgeons are among the first to be highly successful in re-plantation of severed extremities, repairing both injured arteries and veins. Also, we recognize that there are contributions in other parts of the world, which are not well known to us collectively. Contributions from the Arabic speaking part of the world come to mind because there is periodic brief reference. We offer our perspective hoping that there will be one or more Chinese surgeons who will offer us the benefit of sharing their perspective on important historical contributions to the managing of vascular trauma outside of the western world, and, particularly, the English speaking literature. Once again, we encourage our colleagues in the Arabic speaking world to provide us with their perspective of the development and management of vascular trauma.
History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Vascular System Injuries ; history ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo discuss the treatment methods of humeral supracondylar fracture in children with neurovascular complications.

METHODSNinety-six children (59 males, 37 females) with humeral supracondylar fractures were treated by surgery from February 2002 to November 2007, with the mean age of 6.4 years old (ranged from 4 to 16 years). Seventeen symptoms of nerve damage occurred in 16 cases, including radial nerve injury in 5 cases,median nerve injury in 7 cases,of which 1 cases with ulnar nerve injury, ulnar nerve injury in 5 cases; 13 patients had symptoms of vascular injury such as pulse weakness and hands coldness. The patients accompanied by nerve, blood vessel injury symptoms were all treated with open reduction and internal fixation.

RESULTSEighty-five patients were followed up with an average duration of 11 months(ranged from 6 to 18 months). Seventy-three patients had incision healing at the first stage and other 12 patients had incision healing at the second stage. All the 85 patients had no complications such as incision infection and functional disturbance of elbow joint. Among 5 patients with radial nerve injury, 3 patients had symptoms disappeared completely at 3 months after operation; one patient underwent exploration lysis at 3 months after operation and the symptoms disappeared at 5 months after operation; another 1 patient with iatrogenic injury of radial nerve had nerve function recovered at 3 months after releasing plaster compression. Among 7 patients with median nerve injury, 6 patients had nerve function recovered completely at 6 months after operation; another 1 patient combined with ulnar nerve injuries had nerve function recovered at 9 months after exploring of nerve at the second stage. Five patients with ulnar nerve injury had nerve function recovered completely at 6 months after operation. Preoperative symptoms of radial artery pulse weakness and cold hand in 13 patients disappeared after fracture reduction.

CONCLUSIONThe ulnar nerve should be explored during the operation at the first stage of supracondylar fracture. Wether the median nerve, radial nerve and blood vessel be explored or not should be decided by preoperative examination results. The preoperative EMG and Doppler ultrasound examination is not a routine examination before surgery.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Vascular System Injuries ; surgery