Clinical Results of Lower Extremity Trauma Accompanied with Popliteal Artery Injury

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although popliteal artery injuries are uncommon, the consequent lack of management protocols may contribute to the high level of outcome morbidity. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the records of popliteal artery trauma treated at our institution in the past 5 years. RESULT: In 15 patients [male 13, female 2, median age 45.9 (15-73)] there were 13 cases of blunt trauma, mainly motorcycle accident. Most patients presented with severe signs of ischemia when they arrived at the emergency unit. Most commonly skeletal injury was accompanied (fracture 13, nerve injury 7). Some delays occurred between injury and treatment in every cases. Bypass using the contralateral long saphenous vein was the predominant procedure for arterial injury. Our limb salvage rate was 66.7% (10/15), but all patients needed more than two additive operations, and finally had persistent neurologic disability. CONCLUSION: Popliteal artery injury, especially in Korean urban society, was mainly caused by blunt trauma from traffic accidents and the results remain challenging.