The problem of vascular shotgun injuries: Diagnostic and management strategy

This report details our diagnostic and management protocol derived from experience with 11 consecutive shotgun injuries. The injured vessels in nine men and one woman were: brachial artery (6), femoral artery (2), iliac artery (1), tibioperoneal trunk (1), and axillary vein (1). All those with arterial injuries had evidence of distal ischemia; 60% had absent distal pulses. Preoperative arteriography was obtained in seven who were stable and proved useful in outlining the local extent of their vascular injury as well as delineating available distal run-off vessels. Routine chest x-ray revealed evidence of pulmonary or cardiac missile emboli in three. Patients underwent primary repair (4), saphenous vein graft (4), and prosthetic graft (1). Associated venous disruption was noted in all patients with primary arterial injuries; this was either repaired (5/10) or ligated (4/10). Five patients had completion arteriograms, two of which revealed unsuspected distal arterial-arterial emboli. Associated soft tissue destruction included seven nerve injuries and three instances of extensive compartment injury which required fasciotomy. Average follow-up time was nine months, with the majority of complications due to associated nerve damage or soft tissue loss. We have evolved the following strategy: 1) After hemodynamic resuscitation, stable patients undergo arteriography to define the anatomic origin of complex injuries; 2) Surgery commences with rapid proximal and distal control of disrupted segments; 3) Following vessel debridement, continuity is restored either by primary repair or by an autogenous graft which is placed to allow coverage by viable muscle or by soft tissue; 4) On-table completion arteriograms evaluate patency and provide evidence of distal arterial emboli; 5) Fractures are stabilized and disrupted nerves isolated for subsequent repair; and 6) Fasciotomy is performed in the presence of distal swelling or prolonged ischemia.     

A temporary arteriovenous shunt (Scribner) in the management of traumatic venous injuries of the lower extremity

The use of a temporary arteriovenous shunt distal to the repair of a traumatic venous injury of the lower extremity in eight patients is reported. Three patients sustained injury to the superficial femoral vein, three had common femoral vein injuries, one had a through-and-through injury of common iliac vein, and one had a popliteal venous injury. Seven patients had associated arterial injuries. Venous repairs included four vein patches, two end-to-end anastomoses, a single venography, and one autogenous vein interposition graft. At the end of each operation, a distal A-V shunt utilizing the posterior tibial artery and vein was constructed. In two patients the shunt clotted within hours after insertion and could not be reopened. In the remaining six patients, the temporary A-V shunt was left in place an average of 10 days (range, 3-15). Followup venograms obtained 2 to 15 days postoperatively revealed patent venous repairs in all patients whose shunt remained functional for 72 hours or more. Noninvasive Doppler studies were obtained in four patients 3 to 8 months post repair and revealed no evidence of deep venous obstruction. No patient with a functioning distal A-V shunt had significant limb edema following repair. This technique appears to improve patency rates of venous repairs and has several distinct advantages over previously described A-V anastomotic fistulas.     

Blunt versus penetrating subclavian artery injury: presentation, injury pattern, and outcome

BACKGROUND: Subclavian artery (SCA) injuries are rare vascular injuries and may be difficult to manage. The majority of SCA injuries are secondary to penetrating trauma. The purpose of this report is to examine the injury patterns, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and outcome of patients with blunt and penetrating SCA injuries. METHODS: Retrospective review RESULTS: Fifty-six patients sustained SCA injuries (25 blunt, 31 penetrating). SCA injury location was evenly distributed between the proximal, middle, and distal SCA after penetrating trauma; proximal injuries were rare (2 of 25) with blunt mechanisms. A radial arterial pulse deficit was present in only 3 of 25 blunt injuries and 9 of 31 penetrating injuries. Complications occurred more commonly in both groups of patients with initial systolic blood pressures less than 90 mm Hg. Survival was 76% in blunt and 81% in penetrating groups; limb salvage was similar (92% in blunt and 97% in penetrating groups). Complete brachial plexus injuries were more common with blunt injuries. CONCLUSION: SCA injuries are rare vascular injuries with an associated high morbidity and mortality, regardless of mechanism. Blunt mechanisms result in more middle and distal injuries and more frequent complete brachial plexus injuries. Complications are related to the hemodynamic status of the patient upon presentation, and not to mechanism of injury.     

Study of cavernosal arterial anatomy using color and power Doppler sonography: impact on hemodynamic parameter measurement.

PURPOSE: We report on color and power Doppler ultrasound to study cavernosal arterial anatomy, and evaluate the impact of vascular anatomy on the measurement of hemodynamic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cavernosal arterial anatomy of 42 patients with erectile dysfunction was evaluated using color and power Doppler ultrasound. A computerized waveform analysis was used to measure peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and resistive indexes at various sites, including the penile crura, and proximal mid and distal penile shaft. Hemodynamic parameters were measured in each artery in cases of bifurcated or multiple cavernosal arteries. RESULTS: A total of 80 corpora were adequately evaluated. We observed a single artery without major proximal branches in 37 corpora, a single artery with major proximal branches in 17, bifurcated arteries in 15, 2 cavernosal arteries in 4 and marked arterial tortuosity in 1. In 6 corpora the main cavernosal artery arose from the superficial dorsal artery. The peak systolic velocity was highest at the proximal and decreased progressively at the distal site. The peak systolic velocity plus or minus standard deviation at the mid shaft averaged 69.3+/-30.0% of that at the proximal penile shaft. Of the 15 corpora with bifurcated arteries 67% had a 40% or greater difference in peak systolic velocity between the branches. Complete or partial occlusion of the cavernosal artery was identified in 3 corpora, and a dramatic difference in peak systolic velocity proximal and distal to the stenotic area was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Cavernosal arterial anatomy is variable and hemodynamic parameters differ at various sites of measurement. Parameters should be measured at a consistent proximal site to obtain a reliable assessment. Variations in vascular anatomy and cavernosal artery pathology should be considered when interpreting color Doppler sonography and before penile vascular surgery.     

Surgical experience with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a replacement graft for traumatized vessels.

With the increased nationwide incidence of major vascular injuries, the need for interposition grafting has become quite common in major trauma centers. Despite extensive experience with such injuries, the choice of a substitute conduit remains controversial. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a replacement graft for small arteries and veins. The surgical services at the Ben Taub General Hospital began to use PTFE grafts in traumatic vascular wounds approximately 2 years ago. Eight axillary arteries and 12 brachial arteries have had interposition grafting with PTFE prostheses. Eleven patients have required PTFE interposition grafts in repair of traumatized common, superficial, and profunda femoris arteries and common femoral veins; eight patients had reconstruction in the popliteal artery or vein. Three patients had renal artery revascularization procedures following blunt abdominal trauma, three patient had segmental replacement of the superior mesenteric artery following gunshot wounds, and one carotid artery, one iliac vein, and two axillary veins were grafted with PTFE. All patients with segmental repair of axillary, brachial, femoral, and popliteal vessels have maintained good distal pulses and viable extremities. No grafts have thrombosed, nor become infected, in spite of soft-tissue injury encountered at time or repair. In situations requiring interposition graft placement for reestablishment of distal flow in small arteries and veins, PTFE grafts appear to be an acceptable prosthesis.     

An analysis of 124 surgically managed brachial artery injuries

BACKGROUND: A 3-year review of surgically managed brachial artery injuries is presented. METHODS: The medical records were analyzed for demographic data, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: There were 113 males and 11 females with a mean age of 28.7 years. The majority of the injuries were caused by stab and gunshot wounds in 57.3% and 29%, respectively. Primary anastomosis was possible in 47 patients, whereas 73 patients required vein interposition grafting. Lower arm fasciotomy was performed in 15 patients (12.1%). Associated injuries included peripheral nerve lesions in 77 (62.1%), nonpaired brachial vein injuries in 17 (13.7%), and concomitant humerus fracture in 12 (9.7%) patients. Thirty-nine patients (31.5%) had remote injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The primary repair of penetrating brachial artery injuries was possible in approximately one third of the patients. Approximately two thirds of the patients had associated nerve lesions. Critical limb ischemia rarely occurred.     

Successful vascular reconstruction. Determinants of disability

Improvements in limb salvage during the last decade are a reflection of advances in angiography, antibiotics and technique. We report a 100 per cent success rate with vascular repair and a 100 per cent disability outcome in extremity injuries. Ten male patients, with a mean age of 27.3 (range 18 to 41) years, sustained trauma to the extremity with vascular injury. The etiology of injury was gunshot wounds (5), blunt trauma (4), and stab wounds (1). Time from injury to vascular repair was a mean of 186 (range 60 to 360) min. Vessels injured included popliteal artery and vein (4), tibial artery and vein (2), subclavian artery and vein (2), and axillary artery (1). Six of the injuries were associated with fracture of the adjacent bone and treated with external skeletal fixation. All patients had an associated nerve injury. Five patients underwent fasciotomy; nine were treated with 500 ml Dextran-40 for 48 hr (each day for 2 days). All patients received cephalosporin antibiotics pre-, intra-, and post-operatively. All patients had successful vascular repair, as identified by Doppler ultrasound (10 patients) and intra-/post-operative arteriography (5 patients). The median follow-up period was 22 (range 18 to 30) months. There were no primary amputations (within 30 days); there were four late amputations (2, no function and foot ulcer; 2, causalgia). The five popliteal/tibial injuries had no dorsiflexion and foot drop, two had no function and leg ulcers; two patients had femoral and sciatic nerve injury at the thigh; and three patients had injuries to the brachial plexus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Traumatic vascular injuries: Methods and results of repair

An analysis of thirty-six civilian traumatic arterial injuries was performed to determine the frequency, site, and mechanism of injury. The mechanism of injury was evenly divided between penetrating (nineteen) and blunt injuries (seventeen). Blunt trauma from motor vehicle accidents and penetrating injuries from gunshot wounds accounted for approximately 85 per cent of the injuries. Four of fifteen repairs in lower extremity arterial injuries resulted in amputation. Prolonged ischemia and massive soft tissue injury were the major causes of amputation. Eleven upper extremity arterial injuries were repaired with return of distal pulses in ten patients whereas one patient required subclavian artery ligation after rupture of a saphenous vein graft repair. Approaches for exposure, means of repair, and results are discussed.     

Unique superiority of microsurgical repair technique with its functional and aesthetic outcomes in ring avulsion injuries.

Although ring avulsion injuries are not common, when they do occur their management is still a challenging problem in reconstructive surgery. In this report, we present our microsurgical experiences with Kay's class III and IV ring avulsion injuries. A total of six patients with ring avulsion injuries were operated on between 2000 and 2004. Three patients were in class III with inadequacy of both arterial and venous circulation, and the remaining three were in class IV. The study consisted of four male and two female patients whose ages ranged from 23 to 43 (mean age 32). Average ischaemic time was 2.2 h (range 1-4 h). The ring finger was involved in all cases and microsurgical repair was performed using axillary block anaesthesia. The bone was detached at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint and soft tissues at the proximal phalanx level with the preserved proximal interphalangeal joint and flexor digitorum superficialis tendon in all cases. Because the zone of injury is more extensive, we debrided the avulsed digital artery over a long distance, and used long interpositional vein grafts radically in all patients. Venous drainage was accomplished by performing at least two vein anastomoses using vein grafts when necessary. Both digital nerves were repaired primarily after debridement. Results indicated that microsurgical repair had a success rate of 100%. The authors conclude that microsurgical reconstruction of ring avulsion injuries with intact proximal interphalangeal joint and flexor digitorum superficialis tendon yields superior results, both functionally and aesthetically, even in complete amputation.     

Brachial Artery Injuries: A Seven-year Experience with a Prospective Database

Introduction  A Trauma Vascular Registry was established in 1998. The aim of the study was to review brachial artery injuries. Methods and Materials  Review of the prospective registry & case-notes of all identified Brachial Artery Injury. Data was captured on a proforma. Results  177 brachial artery injuries were identified, 154 (87%) were male, 130 were due to stab wounds (73,4%) while gunshots or other sharp trauma accounted for 27 injuries (16,1%). 17 blunt injuries and 3 other injuries were noted. The mid-brachial artery was injured most frequently (113; 68,3%). Angiograms were only performed in five patients and diagnosis was by clinical examination in the remaining patients. 22% of patients had a concomitant nerve injury, while 9 had humerus fractures. Repair was by vein graft in 92 patients (52%), while a primary repair was performed in 80 (45,2%). Specialist Registrars performed 142 repairs (80,3%). Sixteen patients (9%) required forearm fasciotomy, with four cases of limb loss. Three of the cases of limb loss presented over 6 hours post-injury. Discussion and Conclusions  Brachial artery injuries are the commonest vascular injuries to the limbs, with a good prognosis, provided early repair is undertaken. Arteriography is usually unnecessary and limb loss is low, provided appropriate decompression of a compartment syndrome is performed, however in this group the limb loss rate is 25% compared to the overall of 2%. The repair of a brachial artery is a good training procedure for surgical trainees, associated with a low morbidity. Presented at the 34^th Annual South African Surgical Research Society meeting, Durban, July 2006 Abstract published in S Afr J Surg; 2006, 44(4): 166     

Stent-graft repair of traumatic thoracic aortic disruptions

OBJECTIVE: Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic disruption results in pre-hospital death in 80% to 90% of patients. Because of the significant surgical morbidity and mortality associated with open operative repair, endovascular stent-graft repair has been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of thoracic aortic disruptions treated with commercially available proximal aortic extension cuffs. METHODS: Nine patients with multiple system trauma (age range, 16-42 years) were seen after motor vehicle accidents between January 1, 2003, and April 1, 2004. Chest x-ray findings warranted thoracic computed tomography scans, which revealed disruptions of the thoracic aorta. Aortograms delineated the extent of the aortic injuries and identified a "landing zone" (neck length range, 1.5-2.0 cm) distal to the subclavian artery but proximal to the tear. The repairs were performed with AneuRx (n= 8) and Excluder (n = 1) proximal aortic extension cuffs. A left femoral artery approach was used in 6 patients, a suprainguinal retroperitoneal approach with an iliac conduit in 2 patients, and direct tunnel in 1 patient. An Amplatz super-stiff wire was placed in the right axillary artery to enable easy tracking of the endografts, and left brachial artery access was used for arch arteriography. RESULTS: In each patient the stent-graft cuff was deployed adjacent to the left subclavian artery, with successful exclusion of traumatic disruptions verified at intraoperative arteriography and on computed tomographic scans obtained within 48 hours of initial repair. One patient required a second cuff for exclusion of a type I endoleak at the distal attachment site 1 month after the initial endograft repair. There were no procedure-related deaths; 1 patient, however, died of other injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-graft repair of traumatic thoracic aortic disruptions is technically feasible. Placement of a stiff wire in the right axillary artery and percutaneous left brachial artery access for arteriography are useful adjuncts during endograft deployment. Endovascular stent grafts may enable definitive repair or serve as a bridge until the patient is stable enough to undergo an operation, if necessary. This technique warrants further investigation.     

Hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation

BACKGROUND: Hand ischemia is a rare but potentially devastating complication of radial artery cannulation for arterial monitoring. The causes and ultimate outcomes of hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation are unclear. STUDY DESIGN: My colleagues and I reviewed the clinical course of radial cannula-induced arterial thrombosis in eight patients during a recent 5-year period. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) duration of radial artery ischemia was 3 +/- 2 days. Injuries were associated with advanced (grade IIb) ischemia that affected the entire hand in four patients and first three digits in the other four patients. Radial artery thrombosis was documented using noninvasive tests or arteriography in all patients. Five injuries were initially treated with thrombectomy and patch angioplasty (n = 4) or vein graft interposition (n = 1); two others were treated nonoperatively with vasodilators, and one was observed without treatment. Three of the four patch angioplasty repairs occluded within 24 hours. Regardless of patency, all patients who survived arterial repairs had continuing ischemia that resulted in digital gangrene or amputation. In contrast, gangrene developed in only one patient treated nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation is associated with high risk of tissue loss or amputation. Operative repair offered no advantage over nonoperative therapy in prevention of digital gangrene in this series. We hypothesize that digital gangrene results from distal embolization from the site of the initial arterial thrombosis, producing ischemia that is not remediated by radial artery revascularization. Nonoperative therapy with vasodilators can be equally effective in treating cannula-induced radial artery injuries in some patients.     

Vascular injury about the knee. Improved outcome

The records of 41 patients with 43 vascular injuries about the knee (34 popliteal artery, five tibial-peroneal trunk, one proximal anterior tibial artery, and three isolated popliteal veins) were analyzed. The etiology of the injuries were gunshot wounds (22), blunt trauma (11), shotgun wounds (4), and stab wounds (4). Associated injuries included fractures (67%), popliteal vein (54%), and nerves (32%). Arterial repairs consisted of primary repair (19), lateral repair (1), saphenous vein grafts (13), and saphenous vein patching (1). Five patients received polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Fasciotomy was performed in 27 limbs. The associated venous injuries (21) and isolated venous injuries (3) were managed with ligation (14), primary repair (9), and vein patch (1). The amputation rate was 11 per cent for popliteal artery injuries (4/34). No other amputations were required. All four amputations were associated with massive limb injury (3) or diagnostic delay (1). One patient died during hemodialysis for renal failure resulting from prolonged shock and myoglobinuria. Successful management correlates best with prompt repair of both popliteal arterial and venous injuries and early fasciotomy. Vein repair (vs ligation) is associated with better long-term results.     

彩色多普勒超声评价支架植入术治疗移植肝血管狭窄

目的探讨彩色多普勒血流显像技术（CDFI）在移植肝血管狭窄支架植入术疗效评估中的价值。方法13例肝动脉狭窄,1例门静脉狭窄,2例肝静脉狭窄。于支架植入术前、后行CDFI检查并每隔3～4个月随访复查,取多普勒参数肝内动脉血流阻力指数和加速度、门静脉吻合口管径及其两端血流速度比值、肝静脉狭窄处管径及肝静脉和下腔静脉肝下段血流频谱进行统计学分析。结果肝动脉狭窄者支架植入术后RI升高,SAT缩短,治疗前后差异有显著性意义（P〈0.05）。门静脉和肝静脉狭窄者支架植入术后狭窄段管径增宽,植入的支架呈并行相间的线样强回声,门静脉吻合口两端血流速度梯度下降,肝静脉和下腔静脉肝下段血流频谱由术前的平坦波恢复为两相或三相波。结论CDFI检查是评价移植肝血管狭窄支架植入术疗效的可靠方法。     

Surgical management of subclavian artery injury

During a 10 year period, we have had operative experience with 13 injuries to the subclavian artery. The factors that led to the successful management in 10 consecutive patients were analyzed. Nonspecific signs, such as pain and swelling, were present in all of the patients. Some aspect of vascular injury was present in each patient and included change in the quality of the distal pulse, hematoma, active hemorrhage, and bruit. Roentgenologic signs such as lung opacification, fractured clavicle, fracture of the first or second rib, and pulmonary opacification were present in each patient. Arteriograms were obtained from all stable patients in whom this injury was suspected. There were no false-positive or false-negative findings. The operative approach for the right subclavian vessels was midline sternotomy, whereas for exposure of proximal left subclavian injuries, anterolateral thoracotomy was utilized. Claviculectomy permitted excellent exposure for distal subclavian artery injuries. This exposure was associated with minimal blood loss and permitted direct repair of complex injuries of the arteries and veins. All patients who reached the emergency room with measurable vital signs survived, and all those who underwent subclavian vascular repair had circulation restored. Principal morbidity was due to associated brachial plexus and lung injuries. A high index of suspicion, rapid transportation, aggressive resuscitation, and proper surgical exposure and repair are essential for the successful management of these rare vascular injuries.     

Vertebral artery injury--diagnosis and management

The literature on vascular trauma contains little information on the management of vertebral artery injuries. We have reviewed our experience consisting of 23 patients with vertebral artery injuries caused by 19 gunshot wounds, two stab wounds, one shotgun wound, and one blunt injury. Twelve patients sustained unilateral vertebral artery thrombosis, seven patients had vertebral AV fistulae (three jugular vein, four vertebral vein) and four patients sustained mural injury without thrombosis. Six patients (26.1%) developed major neurologic deficits of which five could be directly attributed to CNS missile injury. One patient had transient vertebrobasilar ischemia on the basis of a vertebral AV fistula. Four of the seven vertebral AV fistulae were managed solely by therapeutic embolization and two patients early in the series underwent surgical management alone. One patient had therapeutic embolization of the proximal vertebral artery and operative distal vertebral artery ligation for an AV fistula. The four patients who died (17.4%) did so as a direct result of their CNS missile injury. We conclude that: 1) unilateral vertebral artery occlusion seldom results in a neurologic deficit if there is a normal contralateral vertebral artery and PICA (posterior inferior cerebellar artery) blood supply is preserved; 2) accurate assessment of a vertebral artery injury requires contralateral vertebral arteriogram; 3) management of vertebral artery injury is simplified by proximal, and if possible distal, therapeutic embolization; 4) an anterior approach to the C1-2 vertebral artery is a satisfactory method of obtaining distal surgical control, obviating the need to unroof the bony canal of the vertebral artery; 5) angiography is necessary in penetrating neck trauma to identify occult vascular injuries.     

Extraanatomic bypass for peripheral arterial injuries

Over an 8-year period, extraanatomic bypass grafting was performed for peripheral arterial injuries or infections in 12 patients. The indications for use of the technique were as follows: (1) extensive loss of soft tissue over arterial injury or avulsion; (2) wound infection with rupture of a previous arterial repair; or (3) combined infections in soft tissue and the underlying artery due to illicit drug injection. The technique involved excision of the injured or infected artery beyond the margins of the debrided wound and insertion of an autogenous saphenous vein as an extraanatomic bypass graft in a medial or lateral position around the wound. Shotgun wounds were the mechanism of injury in six patients, whereas an extensive injury or infection in the brachial artery was present in eight patients. Successful wound coverage or closure was accomplished and distal arterial flow preserved in 11 patients, 5 of whom had residual neuromuscular or bony defects related to the magnitude of the original injury.     

Intraoperative duplex sonography during renal artery reconstruction

To assess renal duplex sonography as an intraoperative study to detect technical defects during repair, 57 renal artery reconstructions in 35 patients were studied. Sixteen men and 19 women (mean age, 62 years) underwent unilateral (13 patients) or bilateral (22 patients) renal artery repair to 57 kidneys. Methods of repair included aortorenal bypass grafting in 29 cases (20 saphenous vein, 5 polytetrafluoroethylene, 4 Dacron), reimplantation in 7, transrenal thromboendarterectomy with patch angioplasty in 13, and transaortic extraction thromboendarterectomy in 8. Branch renal artery repair was required in six cases (five in vivo, one ex vivo). Fourteen patients had combined aortic replacement (11 patients: 8 abdominal aortic aneurysms, 3 aortic occlusions) or visceral artery reconstruction (three patients: three superior mesenteric artery thromboendarterectomies, one inferior mesenteric artery thromboendarterectomy). Intraoperative renal duplex sonography (mean scan time, 4.5 minutes) was complete in 56 of 57 repairs (98%), and renal duplex sonography was normal in 44 repairs (77%). Overall, B-scan defects were present in 13 repairs (23%). Six of these (11%) were defined as major B-scan defects by Doppler spectra with focal increases in peak systolic velocity greater than or equal to 2.0 meters/sec (major defect, mean renal artery peak systolic velocity, 3.1 m/sec), which prompted immediate operative revision. Seven B-scan defects were defined as minor by Doppler spectra (minor defect, mean renal artery, peak systolic velocity, 0.7 m/sec) and were not revised. Postoperative evaluation (range, 1 to 22 months; mean follow-up, 12.4 months) of 55 renal artery repairs in 34 operative survivors (surface renal duplex sonography, 33 patients; renal angiography, 9 patients) demonstrated 42/43 renal artery repairs with normal intraoperative renal duplex sonography, and 6/6 repairs with minor B-scan defects were patent and free of critical stenosis. Of the 6 renal artery revisions prompted by major B-scan defects, 4 remained patent, 1 stenosed, and 1 occluded. Our experience suggests that intraoperative renal duplex sonography during renal artery repair provides valuable anatomic and physiologic information. Renal artery repairs with normal renal duplex sonography and minor B-scan defects without Doppler spectral changes demonstrated 98% patency without critical stenosis at 12.4 months of mean follow-up. However, major B-scan defects defined by a focal increase in renal artery peak systolic velocity should be considered for immediate correction.     

Penetrating popliteal artery injuries in children

Two children, aged 8 and 12, were seen recently at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital with gunshot injury to the popliteal artery. Both patients presented with late complications following missed penetrating injury to the popliteal artery. At presentation, distal pulses were palpable despite significant proximal arterial injury. Arteriography detailed traumatic popliteal artery aneurysms in both children, and an arteriovenous fistula in one child. These two children represent the youngest patients recorded in the surgical literature with gunshot trauma to the popliteal artery, subsequent formation of traumatic aneurysms, and an arteriovenous fistula. The increasing availability of guns and rifles in the household will likely increase the incidence of such injuries to children. As evidenced by these children, palpable pulses distal to an injury do not obviate the need for arteriography when arterial injury is suspected. Autogenous repair of the injured artery or reconstruction with autogenous vein graft is preferable for repair of vascular injuries in children.     

Outcome after major renovascular injuries: a Western trauma association multicenter report

BACKGROUND: Major renal vascular injuries are uncommon and are frequently associated with a poor outcome. In addition to renal dysfunction, posttraumatic renovascular hypertension may result, although the true incidence of this complication is unknown. The objective of this study was to describe the factors contributing to outcome after major renovascular trauma. We hypothesized that the highest percentage of renal salvage would be achieved by minimizing the time from injury to repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review over a 16-year period conducted at six university trauma centers of patients with American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade IV/V renal injuries surviving longer than 24 hours. Postinjury renal function with poor outcome was defined as renal failure requiring dialysis, serum creatinine greater than or equal to 2 mg/dL, renal scan showing less than 25% function of the injured kidney, postinjury hypertension requiring treatment, or delayed nephrectomy. Data collected for analysis included demographics, mechanism of injury, presence of shock, presence of hematuria, associated injuries, type of renal injury (major artery, renal vein, segmental artery), type of repair (primary vascular repair, revascularization, observation, nephrectomy), time from injury to definitive renal surgery, and type of surgeon performing the operation (urologist, vascular surgeon, trauma surgeon). RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients met inclusion criteria; 49% were injured from blunt mechanisms. Patients with blunt injuries were 2.29 times more likely to have a poor outcome compared with those with penetrating injuries. Similarly, the odds ratio of having a poor outcome with a grade V injury (n = 32) versus grade IV (n = 57) was 2.2 (p = 0.085). Arterial repairs had significantly worse outcomes than vein repairs (p = 0.005). Neither the time to definitive surgery nor the operating surgeon's specialty significantly affected outcome. Ten percent (nine patients) developed hypertension or renal failure postoperatively: three had immediate nephrectomies, four had arterial repairs with one intraoperative failure requiring nephrectomy, and two were observed. Of the 20 good outcomes for grade V injuries, 15 had immediate nephrectomy, 1 had a renal artery repair, 1 had a bypass graft, 1 underwent a partial nephrectomy, and 2 were observed. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with a poor outcome following renovascular injuries include blunt trauma, the presence of a grade V injury, and an attempted arterial repair. Patients with blunt major vascular injuries (grade V) are likely to have associated major parenchymal disruption, which contributes to the poor function of the revascularized kidney. These patients may be best served by immediate nephrectomy, provided that there is a functioning contralateral kidney.