Is limb loss avoidable in civilian vascular injuries?

ABSTRACT

Limb salvage is virtually guaranteed when arterial injury is associated with a gunshot or stab wound. In this setting, associated injury is limited, and arterial injury is uniformly suspected, deliberately sought, and expeditiously repaired. Blunt trauma and massive injuries to the soft tissue, bones, and joints of the extremities augur amputation. In a patient with blunt trauma and loss of distal pulses, liberal, early use of angiography helps to avoid amputations secondary to missed or delayed diagnosis. Deliberate local anticoagulation and effective venous drainage is recommended in the management of dual-complex popliteal injuries. Discriminate amputation merits consideration when arterial trauma is accompanied by massive soft tissue and bony injuries with extensive loss of soft tissue.