Medial approach for popliteal artery injuries / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical application of the medial approach for repairing popliteal artery injuries.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2002 to 2008, 11 cases of popliteal artery injuries had been repaired via the medial approach. Of these cases, 8 had limb fractures, 1 had knee dislocation, and 2 had visceral injuries. Ten popliteal arteries were anastomosed directly while one was repaired with a great saphenous vein graft.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation time ranged from 3 to 4 hours (averaging 3.6 hours). All the injured limbs survived. At the follow up, 8 legs recovered the full function, 2 had minor contracture, and 1 serious Volkmann's contracture without amputation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The medial approach for repair of the popliteal artery is effective, applicable, and more advantageous to the management of multi-injures.</p>