title: Arterial trauma involving the lower limb.
abstract: Experience with 105 lower limb arterial injuries in 103 patients in a general hospital is described. The pathology is discussed: it is noted that spasm per se could not be incriminated as a cause of ischemia. Management of the injuries and associated fractures is outlined. A plea is made for use of external fixation in compound injuries. An aggressive approach to the degloved limb, open three-compartment fasiotomy for severe vascular injury with signs of ischemia, and delayed primary closure for wounds with septic complications are recommended. Associated soft-tissue injury requires arterial reconstruction even in the presence of muscle rigor and anesthesia.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000293:injuries; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications