title: Iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic arterial injuries in an urban level I trauma center in Greece.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aim of this study is to present the experience of an urban trauma center concerning the management of vascular trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  All data on major arterial injuries of the extremities treated during a 6-year period (August 2008 - August 2014) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. All cases were classified into iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic injuries, and comparisons were made between the two groups. Arterial injuries of the thorax and abdomen as well as venous injuries were not included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 67 major arterial injuries were managed (22% iatrogenic). Iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic cases showed differences regarding sex, age and injury of adjacent structures. Almost 8% of patients underwent primary amputation, with major nerve, long bone or extensive soft tissue injury being the main risk factors. Most iatrogenic cases underwent endovascular treatment, although open repair with venous grafting was the primary choice for non-iatrogenic injuries. Primary patency was 100% for all open repairs, although secondary patency was 97% after one month of intervention. Eight cases needed secondary amputation, with extensive soft tissue loss being the major risk factor for secondary amputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic arterial injuries show different characteristics concerning epidemiology and management. Injury of main adjacent structures remains a major risk factor for primary as well as secondary amputation. Endovascular treatment when indicated remains a therapeutic choice with optimal results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece - georgegalyfos@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galyfos
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerasidis
authors.forename: Giannis
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stefanidis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stamatatos
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kastrisios
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannakakis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geropapas
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papacharalampous
authors.forename: Chrisostomos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maltezos
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D023821:Limb Salvage; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*