Vascular injury associated with blunt trauma without dislocation of the knee.
Failure to recognize popliteal artery injury and restore vessel continuity of flow after blunt trauma is a major cause of lower extremity amputation and morbidity. A high index of suspicion and early recognition of the injury are paramount for limb salvage. We experienced a rare case of poplitial artery occlusion with the presence of arterial pulses due to collateral circulation after blunt trauma. Expeditious revascularization was achieved by using posterior approach, allowing two surgical teams to work simultaneously. This case illustrates that, even in the absence of knee dislocation, surgeons must always consider the possibility of a popliteal artery damage whenever a blunt trauma near the knee.
Kim
Jong-Woo
JW
Departments of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.
Sung
Chang-Meen
CM
Cho
Se-Hyun
SH
Hwang
Sun-Chul
SC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D031221:Knee Dislocation; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome