Long-term outcomes of autologous vein bypass for repair of upper and lower extremity major arterial trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Autologous vein is the preferred bypass conduit for extremity arterial injuries owing to superior patency and low infection risk; however, long-term data on outcomes in civilians are limited. Our goal was to assess short- and long-term outcomes of autologous vein bypass for upper and lower extremity arterial trauma. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with major extremity arterial injuries (2001-2019) at a level I trauma center. Demographics, injury and intervention details, and outcomes were recorded. Primary outcomes were primary patency at 1 year and 3 years. Secondary outcomes were limb function at 6 months, major amputation, and mortality. Multivariable analysis determined risk factors for functional impairment. RESULTS: There were 107 extremity arterial injuries (31.8% upper and 68.2% lower) treated with autologous vein bypass. Mechanism was penetrating in 77% of cases, of which 79.3% were due to firearms. The most frequently injured vessels were the common and superficial femoral (38%), popliteal (30%), and brachial arteries (29%). For upper extremity trauma, concomitant nerve and orthopedic injuries were found in 15 (44.1%) and 11 (32.4%) cases, respectively. For lower extremities, concomitant nerve injuries were found in 10 (13.7%) cases, and orthopedic injuries in 31 (42.5%). Great saphenous vein was the conduit in 96% of cases. Immediate intraoperative bypass revision occurred in 9.3% of patients, most commonly for graft thrombosis. The in-hospital return to operating room rate was 15.9%, with graft thrombosis (47.1%) and wound infections (23.5%) being the most common reasons. The median follow-up was 3.6 years. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed 92% primary patency at 1 year and 90% at 3 years. At 6 months, 36.1% of patients had functional impairment. Of patients with functional impairment at 6 months, 62.9% had concomitant nerve and 60% concomitant orthopedic injuries. Of those with nerve injury, 91.7% had functional impairment, compared with 17.8% without nerve injury (P < .001). Of patients with orthopedic injuries, 51.2% had functional impairment, vs 25% of those without orthopedic injuries (P = .01). On multivariable analysis, concomitant nerve injury (odds ratio, 127.4; 95% confidence interval, 17-957; P <. 001) and immediate intraoperative revision (odds ratio, 11.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-95.55; P = .029) were associated with functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous vein bypass for major extremity arterial trauma is durable; however, many patients have long-term limb dysfunction associated with concomitant nerve injury and immediate intraoperative bypass revision. These factors may allow clinicians to identify patients at higher risk for functional impairment, to outline patient expectations and direct rehabilitation efforts toward improving functional outcomes.

Management of Traumatic Radial and Ulnar Artery Injuries and Risk Factors for Amputation.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic injuries to the radial and/or ulnar arteries represent a subset of arterial injuries. In the absence of injury to both forearm arteries, treatment was historically ligation if perfusion was maintained to the hand via the uninjured vessels or adequate collateral vessels. We sought to determine management of traumatic forearm arterial injuries in 2019 and to identify risk factors for major upper extremity amputation. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was queried by International Classification of Diseases 10 code for patients with traumatic radial and/or ulnar artery injuries within the year 2019. Patient demographics, Injury Severity Score, time to operating room, type of repair, outcomes, and mortality were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for major upper extremity amputation. RESULTS: A total of 4048 patients with traumatic radial and/or ulnar artery injuries were identified. A total of 1907 radial artery operations were performed including repair (59%), ligation (29%), and interposition bypass (12%). A total of 1637 ulnar artery operations were completed including repair (67%), ligation (21%), and interposition bypass (12%). Major upper extremity amputation occurred in 0.6%. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.004-1.024, P = 0.0048), blunt mechanism (AOR: 2.457, 95% CI: 1.730-3.497, P < 0.0.0001), and ipsilateral radial and ulnar artery injury (AOR: 2.148, 95% CI: 1.298-3.553, P = 0.0029) were associated with major amputation. Surgical revascularization, time to operating room, fasciotomy, and compartment syndrome were not associated with major amputation, but this may be secondary to Type II error. CONCLUSIONS: In the operating room, radial and ulnar artery injuries were managed more often with restoration of flow versus ligation. Older age, blunt mechanism, and ipsilateral radial and ulnar artery injury were associated with major amputation. Amputation rate was low at 3% overall and 0.6% for amputation of the hand or a more proximal level. Upper extremity fracture, upper extremity nerve injury, and ipsilateral radial and ulnar artery injury were associated with need for revision operation.

Contemporary management and time to revascularization in upper extremity arterial injury.

INTRODUCTION: Upper extremity arterial injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality for trauma patients, but there is a paucity of data to guide the clinician in the management of these injuries. The goals of this review were to characterize the demographics, presentation, clinical management, and outcomes, and to evaluate how time to intervention associates with outcomes in trauma patients with upper extremity vascular injuries. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) Research Data Set for the years 2007-2016 was queried in order to identify adult patients (age ≥ 18) with an upper extremity arterial injury. Patients with brachiocephalic, subclavian, axillary, or brachial artery injury using the 1998 and 2005 versions of the Abbreviated Injury Scale were included. Patients with non-survivable injuries to the brain, traumatic amputation, or other major arterial injuries to the torso or lower extremities were excluded. RESULTS: The data from 7908 patients with upper extremity arterial injuries was reviewed. Of those, 5407 (68.4%) underwent repair of the injured artery. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 10 (IQR = 7-18), and 7.7% of patients had a severe ISS (≥ 25). Median time to repair was 120 min (IQR = 60-240 min). Management was open repair in 52.3%, endovascular repair in 7.3%, and combined open and endovascular repairs in 8.8%; amputation occurred in 1.8% and non-operative management was used in 31.6% of patients. Blunt mechanism of injury, crush injury, concomitant fractures/dislocations, and nerve injuries were associated with amputation, whereas simultaneous venous injury was not. There was a significant decrease in the rate of amputation when patients undergoing surgical revascularization did so within 90 min of injury (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Injuries to arteries of the upper extremity are managed with open repair, endovascular repair, and, rarely, amputation. Expeditious transport to the operating room for revascularization is the key for limb salvage.

Traumatic Lower Extremity Vascular Injuries and Limb Salvage in a Civilian Urban Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: Data on management of traumatic lower extreity arterial injuries comes largely from military experience and involves few civilian centers. This study reports on the experience of an urban trauma center and factors associated with limb loss. METHODS: A retrospective review of lower extremity arterial injuries between 2013 and 2020 at an academic urban level 1 trauma center was completed. Patients with lower extremity revascularization were included in the final data analysis. Demographics, clinical variables, operative details, type of revascularization, as well as 30-day morbidity and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day limb loss. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were included in our analysis. Sixty-nine were male (92%), mean age 33 ± 15 years, 50 patients had penetrating trauma (67%), mean injury severity score was 15 ± 9. Thirty-day limb loss was reported in 8 (11%). Factors associated with limb loss included female sex (P = 0.001), high body mass index (P = 0.001), blunt injury (P = 0.001), associated fractures (P = 0.005), significant soft tissue injury (P = 0.007), delayed repair after shunt placement (P = 0.003), bypass revascularization (P = 0.001), initial revascularization failure (P = 0.019), and wound complications (P < 0.001). Fifty-five patients had at least one return to the operating room (ROR), including 24 patients (32%) for complications related to their revascularization. These included delayed compartment syndrome (n = 7), revascularization failure (n = 9), bleeding (n = 3), and vascular surgical wound complications (n = 5). Mean length of hospital stay (LOS) for the cohort was 24 ± 20 days with 3 ± 3 ROR, in contrast patients who ultimately required amputation had LOS of 57 ± 21 days with 8 ± 4 ROR. Fifty-seven patients (76%) followed in clinic for a median 36 [14-110] days, with only 32 (43%) at >30 days. Twenty-three reported ambulation without assistance, 9 neuromotor deficit including 1 patient that had delayed amputation. CONCLUSION: Patients with blunt trauma and associated fracture and/or extensive soft tissue injury are at risk of limb loss. These injuries are often associated with postoperative wound complications, requiring aggressive soft tissue care that substantially increases ROR and LOS; Expectations for limb salvage in these patients should be tempered when the other associated factors with limb loss mentioned above are also present. When limb salvage is achieved, regaining full limb function remains a challenge.

Management and outcome of 597 wartime penetrating lower extremity arterial injuries from an international military cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular injury is a leading cause of death and disability in military and civilian settings. Most wartime and an increasing amount of civilian vascular trauma arises from penetrating mechanisms of injury due to gunshot or explosion. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive examination of penetrating lower extremity arterial injury and to characterize long-term limb salvage and differences related to mechanisms of injury. METHODS: The military trauma registries of the United States and the United Kingdom were analyzed to identify service members who sustained penetrating lower limb arterial injury (2001-2014). Treatment and limb salvage data were studied and comparisons made of patients whose penetrating vascular trauma arose from explosion (group 1) vs gunshot (group 2). Standardized statistical testing was used, with Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 568 combat casualties (mean age, 25.2 years) with 597 injuries (explosion, n = 416; gunshot, n = 181). Group 1 had higher Injury Severity Score (P < .05) and Mangled Extremity Severity Score (P < .0001), required more blood transfusion (P < .05), and had more tibial (P < .01) and popliteal (P < .05) arterial injuries; group 2 had more profunda femoris injuries (P < .05). Initial surgical management for the whole cohort included vein interposition graft (33%), ligation (31%), primary repair with or without patch angioplasty (16%), temporary vascular shunting (15%), and primary amputation (6%). No difference in patency of arterial reconstruction was found between group 1 and group 2, although group 1 had a higher incidence of primary (13% vs 2%; P < .05) and secondary (19% vs 9%; P < .05) amputation. Similarly, longer term freedom from amputation was lower for group 1 than for group 2 (68% vs 89% at 5.5 years; Cox hazard ratio, 0.30; P < .0001), as was physical functioning (36-Item Short Form Health Survey data; mean, 39.80 vs 43.20; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of wartime lower extremity arterial injuries result from an explosive mechanism that preferentially affects the tibial vasculature and results in poorer long-term limb salvage compared with those injured with firearms. The mortality associated with immediate limb salvage attempts is low, and delayed amputations occur weeks later, affording the patient involvement in the decision-making and rehabilitation planning. We recommend assertive attempts at vascular repair and limb salvage for service members injured by explosive and gunshot mechanisms.

Impact of time to repair on outcomes in patients with lower extremity arterial injuries.

BACKGROUND: Six hours has long been considered the threshold of ischemia after peripheral artery injury. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the impact of operative delays on morbidity and mortality in patients with lower extremity arterial injuries. METHODS: We analyzed the records of 3,441,259 injured patients entered into the National Trauma Data Bank Research Dataset from 2012 to 2015. Patients (≥16 years) with lower extremity arterial injuries were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision injury and procedure codes. Patients with crush injuries, patients with prehospital or emergency department cardiac arrest, those not transferred directly from point of injury, and patients in whom a nonoperative management strategy was attempted were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: We examined the data from 4406 patients with lower extremity arterial injuries; 85% of the patients were male, with a mean age of 35 years. The overall mortality in this cohort was 3.2% (143/4406); the amputation rate was 11.3% (499/4406). Using a multivariate logistic regression model, blunt mechanisms of injury, increased time from injury to operating room arrival, nerve injury, associated lower extremity fractures, increased age, and Injury Severity Score were associated with increased amputation risk. The amputation rate in those undergoing repair within 60 minutes was 6% compared with 11.7% and 13.4% in those undergoing repair after 1 to 3 hours and 3 to 6 hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal limb salvage is achieved when revascularization of lower extremity arterial injury occurs within 1 hour of injury. To improve survival and recovery after extremity arterial injury, efforts should be focused on strategies to expedite reperfusion of the injured limb.

Development of an ovine model of occlusive arterial injury for the evaluation of endovascular interventions.

Endovascular intervention for occlusive arterial trauma is becoming more common in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to present an ovine model of extremity arterial injury for use in future endovascular translational research. Animals under general anesthesia had their left superficial femoral artery exposed, which was bluntly injured over a 2-cm section using a hemostat and injection of air. Occlusion was confirmed on angiography and the flow characteristics measured by ultrasonography. Of five animals enrolled, four occluding lesions were created successfully. Post injury, there was a significant reduction in the median (interquartile range) systolic velocity (cm/sec) on the left (injury) compared to the right (control) side (3.5 (0-16.5) vs. 29 (23.8-43.3); p < 0.001). The ovine superficial femoral artery can be used to consistently produce an occlusive lesion that is suitable for use in the future evaluation of endovascular trauma interventions.

Endovascular management of traumatic peripheral arterial injuries.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries to peripheral arterial vessels are increasingly managed with endovascular techniques. Early small series have suggested that endovascular therapy is feasible and decreases operative blood loss, but these data are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of endovascular management of nonaortic arterial trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed records of traumatic nonaortic arterial injuries presenting at an urban level 1 trauma center from December 2009-July 2013. Patients undergoing treatment in interventional radiology and patients whose injuries occurred >72 h before presentation were excluded. Demographics, indicators of injury severity, operative blood loss, transfusion requirements, and clinical outcome were compared between patients undergoing endovascular and open management using appropriate inferential statistics. RESULTS: During the study period, 17 patients underwent endovascular interventions and 20 had open surgery. There were 19 upper extremity and/or thoracic outlet arterial injuries, 15 lower extremity injuries and 11 pelvic injuries. Endovascular cases were completed using a vascular imaging C-arm in a standard operating room. Estimated blood loss during the primary procedure was significantly lower with endovascular management (150 versus 825 cc, P < 0.001). No differences were observed between cohorts in age, injury severity score, intensive care unit length of stay, arterial pH, transfusion requirements, inpatient complication rate, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with endovascular management demonstrates its feasibility with commonly available tools. Operative blood loss may be significantly decreased using endovascular techniques. Further study is needed to refine patient selection criteria and to define long-term outcomes.

Surgical management of axillosubclavian vascular injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Complex surgical exposures to upper extremity injuries required for conventional surgery correlate with a high morbidity and mortality. We present our results with conventional surgery following injuries of the subclavian and axillary vessels. METHODS: Between November 2007 and March 2012, 29 cases with subclavian-axillary vascular injury were operated. Diagnostic and treatment methods, associated organ injury, morbidity and mortality rates in these cases were respectively reviewed. RESULTS: The causes of injuries were stab wounds in 11 cases (37.9%), gunshot wounds in 9 cases (31%), iatrogenic injuries in 5 cases (17.2%) and blunt trauma 4 cases (13.7%). Eight patients (27.5%) had isolated arterial injury while 21 patients (72.4%) had coexisting organ injury (vein, bone, soft tissue, nerve). Primary repair and usage of saphenous vein were the most common surgical methods. One patient died due to myocardial infarction. (Mortality 3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular injuries of axillosubclavian are frequently associated with neurogenic, osseous and soft tissue injuries and should have early intervention. Conventional surgery remains the choice of treatment in patients with poor status and urgency.

Outcomes following ipsilateral great saphenous vein bypass for lower extremity arterial injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Use of autologous great saphenous vein (GSV) grafts for repair of extremity arterial injuries is well established. Contralateral great saphenous vein (cGSV) is traditionally used in the setting of lower extremity vascular injury given the risk of occult ipsilateral superficial and deep venous injury. We evaluated outcomes of ipsilateral GSV (iGSV) bypass in patients with lower extremity vascular trauma. METHODS: Patient records at an ACS verified Level I urban trauma center between 2001 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who sustained lower extremity arterial injuries managed with autologous GSV bypass were included. Propensity-matched analysis compared the iGSV and cGSV groups. Primary graft patency was assessed via Kaplan-Meier analysis at 1-year and 3-years following the index operation. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients underwent autologous GSV bypass for lower extremity vascular injuries. 61 cases (80%) were secondary to penetrating trauma, and 15 patients (20%) underwent repair with iGSV bypass. Arteries injured in the iGSV group included popliteal (33.3%), common femoral (6.7%), superficial femoral (33.3%), and tibial (26.7%), while those in the cGSV group included common femoral (3.3%), superficial femoral (54.1%), and popliteal (42.6%). Reasons for using iGSV included trauma to the contralateral leg (26.7%), relative accessibility (33.3%), and other/unknown (40%). On unadjusted analysis, iGSV patients had a higher rate of 1-year amputation than cGSV patients (20% vs. 4.9%), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Propensity matched analysis also found no significant difference in 1-year major amputation (8.3% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.99). Regarding ambulatory status, iGSV patients had similar rates of independent ambulation (33.3% vs. 38.1%), need for assistive devices (58.3% vs. 57.1%), and use of a wheelchair (8.3% vs. 4.8%) compared cGSV patients at subsequent follow-up (P = 0.90). Kaplan-Meier analysis of bypass grafts revealed comparable primary patency rates for iGSV versus cGSV bypasses at 1-year (84% vs. 91%) and 3-years post-intervention (83% vs. 90%, P = 0.364). CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral GSV may be used as a durable conduit for bypass in cases of lower extremity arterial trauma where use of contralateral GSV is not feasible, with comparable long-term primary graft patency rates and ambulatory status.

Endovascular repair of traumatic axillary artery transection associated with scapulothoracic dissociation complicated by stent separation.

We report the case of a 23-year-old female pedestrian who had been struck by a car and had presented with axillary artery transection in the setting of scapulothoracic dissociation. The initial endovascular repair was compromised by her shoulder instability and had required the addition of bridging stent placement. Caution is advised with endovascular repair in this clinical scenario because of possible stent separation.

Distance of the cervical part of the internal carotid artery from the selected anatomical structures in the parapharyngeal space and its relation to patient characteristics.

Anomalies of the internal carotid artery (ICA) can increase the risk of haemorrhage during common surgical procedures. The aim of this literature review was to summarize the current state of knowledge on the course of the internal carotid artery in the parapharyngeal space, including the impact of the patient characteristics on the distances between the artery and other anatomical structures, as well as symptoms accompanying the aberrations. Pathologies related to the course of ICA in the parapharyngeal space are common (10%-60% in the general population and up to 84.4% in the elderly). In women, the distances in the oropharynx area are shorter than in men. Although the number of morphological studies is growing, providing more information on this topic, the identified studies differ in the methods and results. Knowledge on the variability in the course of ICA can help identify patients at high risk for the ICA trauma during pharyngeal procedures.

Penetrating Extremity Trauma Endovascular versus Open Repair?

Penetrating extremity trauma (PET) accounts for an estimated 5-15% of trauma with vascular injury and these injuries are accountable for a significant percentage of trauma-related deaths. Historically, vascular injuries were best treated by open repair. While a defined selection criteria and a comprehensive algorithm have not been validated, the advancement of endovascular techniques, embolotherapy, and stent grafting have become viable options for the treatment of penetrating arterial extremity trauma in select patients. Advantages endovascular repair offers include decreasing mortality and morbidity associated with open repair, decreasing blood loss, decreasing iatrogenic injury such as nerve injury, and lower rate of wound infection. Patients stability, type of vascular injury, and lesion location are main factors help deciding between endovascular and open repair. Patient selection between endovascular and open repair should be determined by on a case-by-case situation, individual hospital guidelines, a multidisciplinary approach, and technical expertise.

Operative management of non-iatrogenic pediatric and adolescence peripheral arterial trauma: An experience from a resource challenged setting.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluates the management and outcome of non-iatrogenic pediatric and adolescence extremity arterial injuries in a resource-challenged setting. METHODS: A retrospective study of the surgical management for non-iatrogenic extremity arterial trauma in pediatric and adolescence during the period from January 2008 to December 2015. This study was performed in two different countries at tertiary referral university and teaching hospitals having a specialized emergency and trauma centers. A thorough study of each patient record was collected from these centers including, the original demographic data and their clinical presentations. Operative data of each patient was also reported. RESULTS: During the 8-year period of the study, 149 pediatric and adolescent extremity arterial trauma patients were treated. They were 93.3% male, and 6.7% female, respectively. The age ranged from 2 to 18 years with a mean of 10.25 ± 4.05 years. Lower extremity arterial trauma was recorded in 51%, while 49% were having upper extremity injuries. Primary repair with end-to-end vascular anastomosis was performed in 51.7%, while an interposition reversed saphenous vein graft was performed in 48.3%. The operative procedures were performed by an experienced vascular surgeon and well-trained pediatric surgeons and general surgeons. Pseudoaneurysms was recorded in 9% of cases. Fasciotomy was performed in 15% of cases. CONCLUSION: Treatment of pediatric and adolescent extremity arterial injuries with primary end-to-end vascular anastomoses or with the use of an interposition reversed saphenous vein graft is a reliable, feasible, and more cost-effectiveness technique with good results. Moreover, it should be adopted for all vascular trauma patients, whenever possible.

Non Surgical Management of Pseudoaneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of pseudoaneurysm has increased due to the large number of vascular procedures performed and the widespread use of anticoagulation therapy during procedures. Non-invasive methods for management of pseudoaneurysms comprise of ultrasound guided compression (USGC), thrombin therapy, arterial embolisation and endovascular stent graft insertion. We discuss our experience in the management of fourteen cases of pseudoaneurysms using non surgical techniques. METHODS: During a two year period, fourteen patients presenting with pseudoaneurysms of different regions were treated. RESULT: Of the fourteen patients, eleven were iatrogenic and three were attributable to trauma. There were six cases of pseudoaneurysms of the femoral artery following coronary angiography studies. One patient developed pseudoaneurysm of right popliteal artery after external fixation of fracture right tibia and fibula. Three cases of renal artery pseudoaneurysms occurred following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The cases were evaluated using a varying combination of color doppler, multidetector computerised tomography (CT) and angiography. These cases were treated with ultrasound guided compression (USGC), stent graft and coil embolisation. The selection of method was based on the location and size of pseudoaneurysms besides the efficacy of the technique. USGC was performed in seven, of which six were in the femoral artery and one supraorbital. The technique was unsuccessful in three of the seven, wherein stent graft was deployed in the femoral artery. Coil embolisation was utilised in three cases of renal artery pseudoaneurysms following PCNL. CONCLUSION: Follow up with color doppler and CT angiography within a week, 6 and 12 months period showed successful regression of pseudoaneurysms in all cases.

A decade of major vascular trauma: Lessons learned from gang and civilian warfare.

INTRODUCTION Trinidad and Tobago is a trans-shipment point for the illegal trade of drugs, arms and ammunition and, as such, has a high incidence of gang-related warfare and drug-related crimes. This has led to a high incidence of gunshot and stab wounds, with associated major vascular injuries. We describe our management strategies learned from a decade of vascular trauma experience. METHODS A retrospective analysis of age, gender, type of trauma, vessel injured, procedure and outcome for all cases of vascular trauma between 2006 and 2015 at two surgical units in Trinidad and Tobago. RESULTS There were 198 vascular trauma cases (232 procedures), involving 159 (80%) males at a mean age of 33 years. Gunshots accounted for 103 (52%) cases, followed by stabs/chops (n=50; 25%) and lacerations (n=15; 8%). The most commonly injured vessels were the radial/ulnar arteries (n=39; 20%) and the superficial femoral artery (n=37; 19%). There were seven pseudoaneurysms and three traumatic arteriovenous fistulae. Repair techniques included primary (n=82; 35%), reversed vein (n=63; 27%), polytetrafluoroethylene (n=58; 25%), oversew (n=24; 10%) and endovascular (n=5; 2%) techniques. There were eight (4%) secondary amputations and eight (4%) deaths. CONCLUSIONS Major vascular trauma causes significant morbidity and mortality in Trinidad and Tobago, with the majority of cases due to gunshot injuries secondary to gang-related warfare and civilian violence. We compare our experience with that in the literature on the epidemiology and management of vascular trauma.

Outcomes of arterial vascular extremity trauma in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Vascular trauma in children, although rare, carries significant risk for repair. Here we report outcomes from a single trauma center for children with extremity vascular trauma, proximal to the digits. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients less than age 18years with an acute, non-iatrogenic traumatic arterial vascular injury of the upper and/or lower extremity between January 2008 and December 2013. Abstracted patient demographics, injury characteristics, surgical management, and disposition were summarized and compared with nonparametric methods. RESULTS: 23 children comprised the study cohort: median age of 8years (IQR: 4.6-12), 61% (n=14) males, 100% survival. Penetrating injuries were the predominate mechanism (n=17, 74%). The median time to presentation was 154min (IQR: 65-330). Acute operations for revascularization included a primary repair (n=15, 65%) or reversed vein graft (n=7, 30%). Fasciotomies were done for 3 (13%) patients. Three amputations were done for failed revascularization. Upper extremity vascular injury (n=15, 65%) was more common. The rate of associated extremity fracture was similar between upper (21%) and lower (33%) extremities (p=0.643). Eight (35%) patients required additional surgery most commonly for debridement, washouts and dressing changes. Three patients' hospital stays were complicated by infection. Impaired function was the most common short- and long-term complication (60%, 75%). CONCLUSION: Pediatric vascular injuries are commonly associated with penetrating injuries and male gender and occurred more frequently in the upper extremities. Overall patency rates after repair were 87%. Fasciotomies were done in 13% of patients, and the overall surgical amputation rate was 13%. There was no mortality in this cohort; however, multiple operations are commonly required, including the return to OR for washouts, debridements and dressing changes. The most common short- and long-term complication was impaired function. Overall good results are achievable in pediatric vascular trauma treated with revascularization.

Racial Differences in Treatment Approaches and Mortality Following Arterial Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the impact of race on treatment approaches and mortality following arterial trauma. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank (version 7.2, American College of Surgeons) was queried from 2002 to 2012 to identify patients aged 18 to 65 years with arterial trauma. The association between race (white, black, and Hispanic) and mortality following arterial injury was assessed, stratified by penetrating or blunt injury. Temporal trends in the use of open and endovascular procedures were evaluated across the racial groups. Multivariable regression models adjusting for patient demographics, injury severity, hospital characteristics, insurance status, and type of intervention performed were used to evaluate potential contributors to the association of race with mortality. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 58 626 patients (52% white, 31% black, and 17% Hispanic). A majority (57%) of patients had penetrating injuries, with black and Hispanic patients being more likely to sustain penetrating injuries (80% and 65%, respectively) compared to white patients (41%, P < .001). Overall, black patients had higher mortality for penetrating injuries (16.8% vs 13.0% vs 7.8%, P < .001) when compared to Hispanic and white patients, correspondingly. Over the study period, there was increasing use of endovascular and decreasing open surgical procedures for treatment of arterial trauma. This finding was similar across all groups studied. In multivariable analysis, black race was found to be associated with higher mortality compared to white for both penetrating (odds ratio [OR] 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-1.75, P < .001) and blunt (OR 1.27 95%CI 1.09-1.47, P = .002) arterial trauma. CONCLUSION: Even after adjusting for potential confounders, minority patients had increased odds of mortality following arterial trauma compared to their white counterparts. Further studies are needed to understand and to eliminate these observed disparities in outcome.

Temporary vascular shunt for damage control of extremity vascular injury: A toolbox for trauma surgeons.

In an emergency, a general surgeon may be faced with the need to treat arterial trauma of the extremities when specialized vascular surgery is not available in their hospital setting, either because an arterial lesion was not diagnosed during pre-admission triage, or because of iatrogenic arterial injury. The need for urgent control of hemorrhage and limb ischemia may contra-indicate immediate transfer to a hospital with a specialized vascular surgery service. For a non-specialized surgeon, hemostasis and revascularization rely largely on damage control techniques and the use of temporary vascular shunts (TVS). Insertion of a TVS is indicated for vascular injuries involving the proximal portion of extremity vessels, while hemorrhage from distal arterial injuries can be treated with simple arterial ligature. Proximal and distal control of the injured vessel must be obtained, followed by proximal and distal Fogarty catheter thrombectomy and lavage with heparinized saline. The diameter of the TVS should be closely approximated to that of the artery; use of an oversized TVS may result in intimal tears. Systematic performance of decompressive fasciotomy is recommended in order to prevent compartment syndrome. In the immediate postoperative period, the need for systematic use of anticoagulant or anti-aggregant medications has not been demonstrated. The patient should be transferred to a specialized center for vascular surgery as soon as possible. The interval before definitive revascularization depends on the overall condition of the patient. The long-term limb conservation results after placement of a TVS are identical to those obtained when initial revascularization is performed.

Pseudoaneurisma postraumático de arteria femoral en una niña de dos años / Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery in a two-years- old girl

Introducción: Los aneurismas arteriales son poco frecuentes en edad pediátrica, sin embargo; se observa un incremento en la incidencia de pseudoaneurismas a partir de traumatismos vasculares, sobre todo, por la aplicación de procederes invasivos. También se observan en procesos infecciosos y tumorales adyacentes, que acaban por lesionar la pared arterial. La mayoría suelen ser asintomáticos, o se presentan como una masa pulsátil que se asientan sobre la zona de la arteria afectada. Objetivo: Demostrar la importancia del diagnóstico temprano de los pseudoaneurismas para el tratamiento quirúrgico oportuno y evitar complicaciones posteriores. Presentación del caso: se discute un caso de una paciente de dos años de edad con un trauma vascular iatrogénico en la extremidad inferior derecha, que se manifestó como una tumoración pulsátil. Se realizó eco-doppler y angiografía, con lo que se diagnosticó un aneurisma de la arteria femoral derecha. Se realizó una exéresis y reconstrucción vascular con buena evolución. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico rápido de estas entidades vasculares evita que se presenten complicaciones posteriores y aseguran una evolución rápida y satisfactoria de los pacientes que las padecen(AU)

Introduction: Arterial aneurysms are rare in the pediatric ages. However, it is observed an increasement of the incidence of pseudoaneurysms caused by vascular traumas, mainly due to the use of invasive procedures. It is also present in infectious and tumour processes that end up injuring the arterial wall. Most of them are asymptomatic or are presented as a pulsatile mass that sets up over the affected artery's zone. Objective: To show the importance of early diagnosis of pseudo-aneurysms. Case presentation: It is presented the case of a two years old patient with a iatrogenic vascular trauma in the right lower limb that manifested in the way of a pulsatile tumor. Through an eco-Doppler and an angiography, an aneurysm of the right femoral artery was diagnosed, which led to an excision and a vascular reconstruction with good evolution. Conclusions: Early diagnosis of these vascular entities allows its timely surgical treatment, avoids the appearance of further complications and assures a prompt and satisfactorily evolution of the patients(AU)