Abstract

• PURPOSE : This study had been performed to evaluate the factors affecting either saving the limb or amputation after popliteal artery injury associated with fractures or dislocation around the knee. MATERIALS and METHODS : Twelve patients of popliteal artery injury were included. Authors had analysed nine probable factors as follows - age, sex, injury mechanisms, injury types, interval between injury and time to arrive at the hospital, interval between injury and time of operation, surgical methods for revascularization, severity of extremity injuries and fasciotomy, for discrimination between the limb-saving group and the amputation. RESULTS: Ten patients were arrived at the hospital within 48 hours after the injury. Each patient was managed by end-to-end anastomosis in 6 cases and autogenous vein graft in 4 cases and among them, 2 cases needed additional amputation for vascular compromise. All limbs could be saved in which cases operate within 6 hours after the injury. However, the limb was lost in one of 6 cases(16.7%) between 6 and 20 hours, in one of two cases(50%) over 20 hours. One of 7 cases(14.3%) with the Mangled Extremity Severity Score(MESS) of 2 to 4 points, two of 4 cases(50%) with MESS of 5 to 6 points and one(100%) with MESS of 7 points were amputated. All 4 patients associated with fasciotomy could save their limbs, however, two of 6 patients not associated with fasciotomy lost. SUMMARY : Authors thought the most reliable predictors for saving the limbs after the popliteal artery injury might include the MESS and fasciotomy, however, ischemic time more than 6 hours might not be an absolute indication for amputation.
• Key words: Popliteal artery injury, Limb loss, Predictors

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