Major peripheral veins injuries
Romanoff, H.; Goldberger, S.
Vascular Surgery 10(3): 157-163
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-2835 PMID: 961040 Document Number: 98994
The injury was severe in wounded limb patients who suffered from an associated major peripheral vein trauma. The presence of such an injury weighed heavily on the prognosis. Patients (38) with major peripheral veins injuries are reviewed. The injuries had resulted from war wounds, work or road accidents. The superficial femoral vein was the most frequently injured vein. Associated injuries were frequently noted: soft tissue injuries in 35 patients, fractures in 33, arterial injuries in 32 and peripheral nerve injuries in 22 patients. Shock was more often present and more severe in patients who also suffered from a vein injury than in patients with only an arterial injury. The lacerated femoral vein was ligated in the majority of patients. Attempts were made to repair the lacerated popliteal veins. Repair of the vein was usually done by anastomosis of debrided ends. When an arterial injury was also present; it was repaired 1st. The postoperative complications were frequent and included infections, thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolisations. Patients (24) were discharged with a viable limb. Complete function was recovered in only 7. Partial neurological deficit remained in 12 patients and complete paralysis in 5. Patients (12) underwent subsequent amputation of the injured limb. Indications for amputation were ischemia in 8, infection or extensive destruction of tissues in 4. Two patients died.