Popliteal artery injuries in Vietnam

1. 1. Although generally good results have been obtained in managing more than 2,000 acute vascular injuries in Vietnam, repair of popliteal arteries remains a problem. 2. 2. One hundred fifty of the 300 injuries of the popliteal artery listed in the Vascular Registry are reviewed. 3. 3. Forty-two per cent of patients with these injuries were evaluated at Walter Reed General Hospital, and the remaining patients were evaluated at other hospitals. 4. 4. Associated injuries to bone, nerves, soft tissue, and veins are frequent and have a significant effect on the outcome in extremities with popliteal artery injuries. 5. 5. Of the 124 initial repairs performed in Vietnam, early thrombosis occurred in 34. 6. 6. Delayed recognition of injuries occurred in 7.3 per cent of the patients (eleven false aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas). 7. 7. The over-all amputation rate for 150 popliteal artery injuries was 32 per cent.