155 vascular injuries: a retrospective study in Kuwait, 1992-2000.
OBJECTIVE
To audit the management of vascular trauma in Kuwait, 1992-2000.


METHODS
Retrospective open study.


METHODS
Vascular surgery unit, teaching hospital, Kuwait.


METHODS
155 patients with vascular injuries, most of which (n = 118) involved the extremities. 21 had neck injuries, 10 abdominal, and 6 chest.


METHODS
Revascularisation usually using the long saphenous vein in addition to direct repair or end-to-end anastomosis.


RESULTS
Morbidity (amputation) and mortality.


RESULTS
Four lower limb grafts failed, two of which (2/69, 3%) required amputation. Overall, four patients died (3%), one of pulmonary embolism and 3 of severe injuries to major abdominal vessels. 3/10 patients with abdominal vascular trauma died. Mean (SD) follow up period was 4.4 (2) years.


CONCLUSIONS
Civilian violence has increased in Kuwait. Vascular trauma to abdominal vessels is associated with high mortality. Autogenous saphenous vein forms an excellent conduit for revascularisation.
Asfar
Sami
S
Vascular Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Safat, Kuwait. sami@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
Al-Ali
Jassim
J
Safar
Hussein
H
Al-Bader
Marzouk
M
Farid
Emad
E
Ali
Ahmad
A
Kansou
Jalal
J
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology