[Trauma of the popliteal artery. Twenty three patients treated during a 27-year-period]. / Laesion af arteria poplitea. Treogtyve patienter behandlet over en 27-års-periode.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma of the popliteal artery is a rare event. During a period of 14 years, only 59 cases were registered in Denmark in the national register Karbase. There are several pitfalls in the management of popliteal artery lesions which may lead to an increased risk of amputation. This article analyses our own results and discusses selected topics concerning the management of popliteal artery injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 23 patients treated for injury of the popliteal artery over a 27-year period were reviewed. A follow-up investigation was performed. The patients' Doppler pressure was measured. RESULTS: There were three (13%) amputations. At the time of follow-up, 5 of the patients were dead; 1 person was living abroad. Of the remaining 17 patients, 15 had no vascular symptoms; 2 patients had been amputated initially, and 1 patient had been treated conservatively. DISCUSSION: Management of a popliteal artery injury can be difficult and requires an experienced approach. Our results reveal excellent long-term patency of the vascular reconstruction with the saphenus vein. Furthermore, amputation is almost always due to major soft tissue injury or delayed surgical intervention. The amputation rate of 13% in this material is in line with that in the literature. We recommend that every patient suffering from major trauma of an extremity have a Doppler pressure measurement performed and registered during the initial evaluation in the casualty department.

[Intrafamily kidney transplantation. Investigation of its influence on the donor's life and his or her relationship with the recipient]. / Familienyretransplantation. En undersøgelse af påvirkning af donorernes liv og forhold til recipienten.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life is a vital aspect to be considered in connection with intrafamily kidney transplantations. It is important that the donor be both physically and mentally well after the donation. It is also crucial that the relationship between the donor and recipient not change for the worse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 of 78 donors entered into our investigation. All had donated a kidney to a family member at Odense University Hospital between 1 January 1995 and 7 January 2003. All were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire covering both physical, social and mental issues and the donor's relationship with the recipient. RESULTS: The vast majority were satisfied with their decision to donate. Their relationship with the recipient was either the same or had improved. The donors had not felt pressured to donate. 25% still had some discomfort/pain, which was mainly from the scar; 47% had not changed mentally; 38% had changed mentally in a positive direction; 91% had not changed socially, but 9% had changed in a negative way. Physically, 82% felt the same as before the donation; 16% were less active physically. DISCUSSION: Intrafamily kidney transplantation is a good way to help kidney patients. Within the limits of the survey, the risk of suffering a lower quality of life after donating was shown to be low. The discomfort/pain was of limited inconvenience. On the contrary, the investigation showed that most often the donor was getting better mentally and his or her relationship with the recipient had changed for the better. However, there is room for improvement in operative techniques and donor selection.