Operative and nonoperative management of children aged 13 years or younger with arterial trauma of the extremities

Backround Previous studies have suggested that open repair of arterial injuries in very young children often leads to less satisfactory outcomes. The aim of this study is to describe a decade's experience in the management of pediatric arterial trauma of the limbs, with an additional specific objective to evaluate the long-term outcome of arterial traumas in preschool children treated conservatively. Methods Hospital charts were reviewed for all children aged ≤13 years with arterial trauma of the extremities who underwent operative or nonoperative treatment. Twenty-three children were located who had arterial traumas equally divided between the upper extremity (13) and lower extremity (10). Results The method of treatment was either open surgical repair or medical treatment consisting of systematic heparin administration. In 11 of 12 school-aged children (>6 years; mean age, 10 years), open surgical repair was performed. In six of 11 preschool children (≤6 years; mean, 3.2 years) medical treatment was offered. Open repair was deferred in all children Conclusion Surgical repair can be performed in school-aged children as in adults. Surgical treatment of arterial injuries in neonates, infants, and those children