Authors
Abstract
Background: Combined arterial and skeletal trauma in lower limb imparts a substantially higher risk of limb loss and limb morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and rapid treatment is necessary for optimal limb salvage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of management of lower limb fracture, dislocations with vascular injuries in a university hospital.Methods: 16 male patients with combined lower limb fracture, dislocations and vascular injuries were studied during a 2 year period in a prospective cross-sectional manner.Results: The mean age was 25±10.33 (15-50). More than half of the cases were 20 yr old or younger. Eleven cases had motorcycle accident. Eleven cases had 6 hour or more intervals between accident and surgery. Skeletal trauma in 7 cases was femoral, 3 cases proximal and 1 case supracondylar femoral fracture. Vascular injuries in 7 cases was popliteal, 3 cases femoral, and 4 cases tibial. The fracture treatment in 8 cases was external fixator, 3 cases internal fixation, and the rest conservative treatment. Popliteal artery and veins were repaired with resection of damaged part and autogenous reversed saphenous vein patch. Tibial vessels were repaired with end-to-end sutures.Conclusions: Amputation was done in 5 cases mainly due to long interval between accident and surgery.
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