Posterior Approach for Revascularization in Blunt Popliteal Vessel Injury

Abstract

Popliteal vessel injuries are associated with traumatic knee injury often requiring emergency revascularization. Medial and posterior approaches to the popliteal space have been proposed. This study evaluates the outcome of patients treated for traumatic popliteal vessel injuries via a posterior approach. Consecutive patients with traumatic vascular injuries in the popliteal segments II and III undergoing surgical repair via a posterior approach between October 2008 and December 2016 were analyzed. The level of the arterial injury was preoperatively confirmed by computed tomography angiography or duplex ultrasound. Surgery was performed in prone position. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed including a survey of all patients in January 2017 assessing survival, limb salvage, and claudication. Ten patients (8 female; median age 66years, range 22-88) with blunt knee trauma were identified, 8 of them after spontaneous knee dislocation. Five patients had local intimal disruption and 5 had complete transection of the popliteal artery. In 6 patients, an interposition graft (vein n=5; xenograft n=1) was used for revascularization. Two patients underwent direct reanastomosis and in 2 patients longitudinal arteriotomy with patch plasty was performed. All arterial reconstructions were patent at discharge. Two patients had additional transection of the popliteal vein; in one, reconstruction was performed by direct reanastomosis and in another by interposition of a vein graft. The latter had asymptomatic early postoperative occlusion of the vein graft. After a median follow-up of 56months (range 45-99), no death, limb loss, or claudication was observed. After traumatic knee injury, posterior approach to the popliteal vessels is feasible and effective. It allows revascularization by direct repair or a short segment interposition graft avoiding long distance bypass. A high limb salvage rate can be achieved with excellent long-term outcomes.