A Clinical Study of Vascular Injuries in Extremities

Hahn, Soo Bong; Kang, Kyung Hoon

Abstract

Thirty years ago a major arterial laceration was devasting injury, threatening survival of the limb in almost every case. Increased awareness of vascular injuries and of feasibility of immediate and more advanced arterial repair techmique reduced the amputation rate. The authors reviewed 163 patients of vascular injuries in extremities, who were admitted to Severence Hospital of the Yonsei University College of Medicine from January, 1979 to December, 1986. The results were follows : 1. Among the 163 patients, 146 patients were male patients. 2. Most of the victims were in their twenties. 3. The most common cause in the upper extremity was glass injury. The most common cause in the lower extremity was being struck by moving vehicles. 4. More complications in vascular injuries were associated with severe soft tissue crushing and comminuted fracture of the bone. 5. More favorable results can be gained through the use of microvascular techniques than through conventional techniques in vascular reconstruction.