Penetrating injuries of the iliac arteries: a South African experience.
BACKGROUND
We did a retrospective study of 62 patients with penetrating injuries of the iliac arteries.


METHODS
The cause of injury was gunshot wound in 85.5% and stabbing in 14.5%. The arterial repair was achieved by various means: lateral arteriorrhaphy, end-to-end anastomosis, and polytetrafluoroethylene interposition grafts.


RESULTS
There was a 42% mortality rate from exsanguination or secondary coagulopathy directly related to the arterial injury. Persistent shock, resuscitative thoracotomy, free intraperitoneal hemorrhage, and the number of vascular injuries were directly related to mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
A high index of suspicion, aggressive resuscitation, and prompt surgery are necessary to improve the chances of surviving this ominous injury.
Degiannis
E
E
Department of Surgery, Baragwanath Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
Velmahos
G C
GC
Levy
R D
RD
Wouters
S
S
Badicel
T V
TV
Saadia
R
R
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D009017:Morbidity; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D015996:Survival Rate; D013537:Sutures; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene