title: Gunshot arterial injuries to the groin: comparison of iliac and femoral injuries.
abstract: In a prospective study of 69 patients with gunshot arterial injuries to the groin, there were 18 patients with iliac and 51 with femoral artery injuries. In the former group, the majority of patients were admitted with gross physiological derangement that did not respond to pre-operative resuscitation, so were taken directly to theatre. There was a 39 per cent peri-operative mortality. A prompt operation is mandatory to improve the chances of survival of patients with this injury. In the latter group all patients responded to pre-operative resuscitation and in the great majority, the diagnosis was established by the presence of 'hard' signs of arterial injury alone. There was a 4 per cent amputation rate and no mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Degiannis
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hatzitheofilou
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Florizoone
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saadia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*