Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi, Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi AD

Objective: In this study we have retrospectively evaluated the surgical outcomes of the patients who were referred to our institute due to vascular injury in the upper extremities. Methods: Between July 1991 - November 2004, 137 patients who were surgically treated due vascular injury in the upper extremities were included in this study. There were 116 men and 21 women patient. The mean age of the patients was 37.91± 14.85. Physical examination, colored Doppler ultrasonography (RDUSG) (27 patients), digital subtraction anjiography (DSA) (41 patients) were used for diagnosis. Results: Vascular injury occured due to stab wound in 86 patients , gunshot wound in 43 and blunt trauma in 8 patients. In 60 patients there was only arteriel injury and in 77 patients there were both arteriel and venous injury. The most common localization of the vascular injury was in brachial artery which were followed by axillary, radial and ulnary arteries. Local anesthesia was used in 77 general anesthesia in 39 and regional anesthesia was used in 21 patients. We preferred primary repair, saphenous vein graft interposition, saphenous vein patch plasty, resection and end to end anastomosis and ligation as the surgical procedures. Overall morbidity incidence was 16 %. In early postoperative period 5 patients died (3.6%). Conclusion: Succesfull surgical results are possible with accurate defining of the location and mechanism of the injury, early diagnosis and early intervention.