Objectives: This study aims to analyze patients’ characteristics, treatments applied, and treatment outcomes following traumatic extremity
arterial injuries (TEAIs) in a tertiary care center.
Patients and methods: A total of 197 patients (185 males, 12 females; mean age: 32.5±10.1 years; range, 13 to 67 years) who underwent
emergency operation due to a TEAI in our center between January 2013 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including sex,
age, body mass index (BMI), admission time to hospital, side of injury, injured artery or arteries, cause of injury, and associated injuries were
noted. Treatments applied, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and the mortality rate were recorded.
Results: Penetrating injuries and gunshot wounds were found in 81 (41.1%) and 68 (34.5%) patients, respectively. Bone fractures and nerve
injuries were accompanied by a TEAI in 38 (19.3%) and 11 (5.6%) patients. Superficial femoral artery (SFA) was the most frequently injured
artery (56%). Bypass with saphenous vein was the most utilized management modality in 89 (45.2%) patients, while primary repair was
performed in 64 (32.5%) patients. Infection developed in nine (4.6%) patients. Fasciotomy was required due to compartment syndrome in
17 (8.6%) patients. Extremity amputation was performed in three (1.5%) patients and mortality was seen in three (1.5%) patients.
Conclusion: Our study results suggest that penetrating traumas are the most common cause of TEAI, and that SFA is the most commonly
injured artery. Primary repair and bypass with saphenous vein are the most utilized techniques in the management of TEAIs
Key words: Amputation, extremity artery injury, fasciotomy, primary repair, saphenous vein graft, vascular injury
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