Surgical treatment of infected arterial injuries of the major limb.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze retrospectively the surgical treatment of 21 cases of infected arterial injuries of the major limb hospitalized from 1989 to 2003 in our department.


METHODS
After a radical debridement and drainage, an autologous vessel bypass reconstruction, simple vessel ligation or amputation were carried out respectively according to each patient's condition. In order to make a better milieu for the grafts, local musculo-cutaneous flaps were translocated to cover the wounds in 9 cases.


RESULTS
1 case (4.8%) died during the treatment. 5 cases (5/21, 23.8%) underwent amputations. Blood supply reconstruction was successful in 15 cases (15/21, 71.4%). 93.3% (14/15) of the cases were successful in getting an unobstructed vessel at early stage. Thrombosis occurred in 1 case (1/15, 6.7%) and a sound result was obtained after a second operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Radical debridement combined with bypass vessel reconstruction with autologous vein and with musculo-cutaneous flap translocation is an effective treatment for infective limb vascular injuries.
Guo
Qing-Shan
QS
Department of Orthopedic and Traumatic Surgery, Research Institute for Field Surgery & Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
Wang
Ai-Min Du Quan-Yin
AM
Wang
Xiao-Jun
XJ
Sun
Hong-Zhen
HZ
DU
Quan-Yin
QY