Vascular injuries of the limbs. Evaluation of 106 lesions in 76 patients

: A total of 106 lesions due to vascular injuries (noniatrogenic) to limbs were treated in 81 patients at the CHR, Rennes (Cardiovascular and Thoracic Unit) between 1970 and 1983. Analysis of data allowed a profile of arterial lesions (type and location) to be retraced, and demonstrated the high frequency of associated lesions, these varying in distribution according to whether the upper limbs (major seriousness of neurologic sequelae) or lower limbs (very high incidence of osteoarticular lesions) were involved. Among the "immutable" severity factors (related to the injury) emphasis has to be placed on "contending or crush injuries", widely displaced lesions, extensive arterial dilacerations (middle segments of limbs) and multiple vascular lesions. This study focused attention mainly on the tactical and technical factors allowing improvement in the always reserved prognosis of these lesions. Firstly, by maximum reduction in the duration of ischemia by early diagnosis (to avoid referral to a "second hand") and by judicious indication for angiography (conducted preferably in the operation room and if necessary repeated after vascular repair surgery). Secondly, by repair of lesions in conformity with well established rules and principles: bone stabilization initially, formal venous repair surgery for large venous trunks, preferably "conservative" surgery of arterial vessels to ensure a perfect result initially (any recovery operation results in a very high incidence of failures).