Vascular trauma in an Irish regional hospital.
BACKGROUND
Vascular trauma is a common cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. There are few accurate quantitative data available presently on the nature and outcome of these injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, aetiology, management and outcome of vascular injuries which required surgical intervention at a regional vascular unit.


METHODS
All patients who suffered a vascular injury requiring surgical intervention between January 1992 and December 2005 were included.


RESULTS
A total of 35 patients who underwent operative intervention for vascular trauma were reviewed. There were 26 men and 9 women with a median age of 26 years (range 3-80 years). Road traffic accidents accounted for 15 (43%) of all cases and 16 patients (47%) had an associated fracture. The brachial artery was most frequently injured, constituting 36% of all cases. Interposition grafting using the autogenous long saphenous vein was the most common procedure performed (11 patients). Eleven patients required a secondary procedure while the overall limb amputation rate was 8.5%. There was one mortality following an IVC injury. Seventy-four per cent of the cohort was asymptomatic at last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
While vascular trauma is relatively uncommon in our catchment area it can be successfully managed. Most of the cases occur in young fit patients.
Abdulkarim
A
A
Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Limerick, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
Fleming
F J
FJ
Kavanagh
E G
EG
Burke
P E
PE
Grace
P A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*