title: Improved treatment of popliteal arterial injuries using anticoagulation and extra-anatomic reconstruction.
abstract: Management of popliteal arterial injuries remains a challenging problem. Early recognition and treatment, arteriography, fasciotomy, and repair of concomitant popliteal venous injuries are modalities that have contributed to improved results. Systemic heparin sodium anticoagulation and selected extra-anatomic vein graft bypass of the popliteal area are two additional measures that have contributed to a 91% success rate in treatment of popliteal arterial injuries and five of six blunt injuries were treated successfully in this time period. A limb salvage rate of only 46% was attained in the previous five-year period. There were no operative deaths. No complications attributable to systemic anticoagulation or extra-anatomic bypass graft occurred. These adjuncts are recommended to all who manage vascular injuries.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin