Management Of Vascular Injuries Research Articles

Combat Vascular Trauma Management for the General Surgeon

This review focuses on the initial management and stabilization of complex vascular injuries for the general surgeon within the combat zone. Recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria demonstrate that general surgeons are responsible for the initial surgical management of combat-related vascular trauma in damage control scenarios. These injuries display a more complex injury pattern and often require different management strategies than seen in civilian trauma. Vascular trauma in combat settings is often accompanied by a multitude of life- and limb-threatening injuries. Definitive repair operations are often deferred for initial damage control surgery and resuscitation. Resultant strategies to restore perfusion and control bleeding are determined by the patient’s underlying physiology and frequently require the use of vascular shunts, ligation, primary anastomosis, or interposition grafting. While general surgeons in the combat zone are not typically responsible for definitive repair during initial damage control surgery, proper initial surgical management in the far-forward setting with an intimate understanding of future repair strategies remains critical aspects in assuring optimal definitive treatment.

Vascular Surgery in the Pacific Theaters of World War II: The Persistence of Ligation Amid Unique Military Medical Conditions.

: Although multiple sources chronicle the practice of vascular surgery in the North African, Mediterranean, and European theaters of World War II, that of the Pacific campaign remains undescribed. Relying on primary source documents from the war, this article provides the first discussion of the management of vascular injuries in the island-hopping battles of the Pacific. It explains how the particular military, logistic, and geographic conditions of this theater influenced medical and surgical care, prompting a continued emphasis on ligation when surgeons in Europe had already transitioned to repairing arteries.

PC212. Management of Vascular Injuries From Stabbings

The total number of knife offenses in Britain is at the highest level in 6 years. In 2017, hospital admissions for knife assault wounds increased by 21%. At a single major trauma center, we reviewed all stabbings resulting in vascular injury during a 5-year period and evaluated patients’ demographics, anatomy of injury, management, and outcomes. Data were collected from 2012 to 2017 using a prospectively maintained trauma database and electronic patient records. All patients admitted as a major trauma call and identified as having a vascular injury from a stabbing were included. Individual patient records were examined to assess injury characteristics, operations, demographics, and outcomes. In total, 186 trauma patients were identified as having major vascular trauma. Of these, 66 (35%) patients were injured by stabbing. The median age was 27 (range, 15-58) years, with the majority (92%) being male. The mean Injury Severity Score was 17, with 46 (69%) patients meeting the criteria of major trauma with a score >15. Of the injuries, 55 (82%) were arterial and 18 (26%) venous; 10 involved both (15%). In five (7%) patients, there was also visceral involvement. The anatomic site of the injury was the thorax in 32 cases (48%), abdomen and pelvis in 20 patients (30%), head and neck in 7 (11%), lower limb in 5 (8%), and upper limb in 4 (3%). A vascular operation, deemed to be a direct surgical repair to a vessel, was required in 50 (76%) patients, other operation in 5 patients (8%), interventional radiology in 7 patients (11%), and conservative management only in 4 patients (6%). In the operatively managed cohort, median time from admission to theater was 1.6 hours. Median length of hospital stay was 7 days (range, 1-365 days). Despite injuries involving major vessels, there were only two deaths (3%), one from injury to the pulmonary artery and one to the inferior vena cava. In a major trauma center with onsite vascular services, the majority of traumatic vascular injuries from stabbings can be treated without prolonged hospital stay and low mortality.

Vascular Injury During Urologic Surgery: Somebody Call My Mother.

To provide the critical elements to effectively manage hemorrhage from vascular injuries sustained during planned urological interventions. The frequency of intraoperative vascular injuries is increasing. However, literature concerning the management of iatrogenic operative vascular injuries is scarce. Although rare, intraoperative vascular injuries may be associated with potential catastrophic complications and death. The decision-making process following a potential life-threatening intraoperative vascular injury occurs in a very short time frame. Appropriate knowledge of the critical elements to identify the source of bleeding, initiate first-line hemostatic measures, select the candidate for damage control strategies, and perform the indicated operative repairing maneuvers and techniques have been proved crucial to ensure hemodynamic stability and bleeding cessation. The key surgical principles to counteract the impact of exsanguinating bleeding, and the aim to obtain the best achievable outcomes after definitive repair, are described in detail in this review.

The role of interventional radiology in the treatment of lower limb vascular injuries after orthopaedic surgery.

PurposeThis paper focuses on the role of interventional radiology embolisations in a series of patients presenting with iatrogenic vascular injuries of the lower limbs following orthopaedic interventions.Material and methodsFourteen patients (mean age: 64 years, range 23-90 years) were retrospectively analysed. Clinical presentation consisted of palpable pulsatile mass, pain, reduced lower limb motion, or visible haematoma; 11 patients had also anaemia (haemoglobin < 7 g/dl).ResultsThe time between orthopaedic surgery and embolisation ranged between 0 and 67 days (mean: 15 days). Injured arterial vessels were as follows: inferior gluteal artery (2), superficial external pudendal artery (2), deep femoral artery (1), lateral circumflex femoral artery (3), medial circumflex femoral artery (2), articular branch of descending genicular artery (1), perforating femoral arteries (3), posterior tibial recurrent artery (1), and anterior tibial artery (1). The typologies of vascular lesion were: pseudoaneurysm 57%, bleeding with extraluminal contrast agent blush of the terminal arterial segment 36%, and laceration and bleeding with extraluminal contrast agent blush of the arterial main trunk 7%. Embolising agents adopted were microcoils 57%, glue 14%, microplug 7%, particles 14%, and covered stent 7%. In all cases clinical and procedural technical successes were obtained (100%).ConclusionsFor the management of vascular injuries occurring after different orthopaedic interventions of the lower limbs, endovascular embolisations have proven to be safe and effective; orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the support that interventional radiology could provide in the case of iatrogenic vascular complications.

Management of post cholecystectomy vascular injuries

IntroductionVasculobiliary and vascular injuries following cholecystectomy are the most serious complications requiring complex surgical management resulting in greater patient morbidity and mortality. MethodologyThe study was performed at a tertiary teaching hospital of North India. Records of patients referred for biliary or vascular injury sustained during cholecystectomy were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with vascular injury between January 2009 and March 2018. Clinical profile, hospital course and outcome of these patients were analysed. ResultsOver nine years, 117 patients were referred for cholecystectomy related complications. Total incidence of vascular injury was 5.1% (6/117). Combined vasculobiliary injury (VBI) occurred in 3.4% (4/117) while isolated vascular injury was present in 1.7% patients (2/117). Most (5/6) patients were operated for uncomplicated gall stone disease. Incidences of portal vein (PV) and right hepatic artery (RHA) injuries were equal (3/6). PV injuries were repaired either during cholecystectomy (1/3) or during re-exploration after damage control packing (2/3). RHA injuries presented as pseudoaneurysm and were managed surgically (2/3) or by coil embolization (1/3). All VBI referrals (4/117) were following open cholecystectomy. In VBI patients, vascular injury was diagnosed intra-operatively in two while it was diagnosed several weeks after cholecystectomy in two others. Biliary injury manifested as bile leak post-operatively in all four of them. Nature of biliary injury could be characterized in only 50% (2/4) patients. Definitive repair of biliary injury was performed in one patient only. There was one mortality in our series. ConclusionVascular injury is an uncommon complication of cholecystectomy with catastrophic outcome if not managed timely and properly. Adequate surgeon training, keeping the possibility of aberrant vasculobiliary anatomy in all cases, and proper surgical technique is crucial for prevention of such injuries. However in such an event, proper documentation and referral to tertiary centre will help in decreasing morbidity and further litigation.

Management of intra-operative major bleeding during single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic resection: two-center experience.

Our objective is to report on two centers' experience of intra-operative management of major vascular injury during single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic (SPVATS) anatomic resections, including bleeding control techniques, incidence, results, and risk factor analysis. Consecutive patients (n = 442) who received SPVATS anatomic lung resections in two centers were enrolled. The different clinical parameters studied included age, previous thoracic surgery, obesity (BMI > 30), tumor location, neoadjuvant therapy, and pleural symphysis. In addition, peri-operative outcomes were compared between the groups, with or without vessel injury. There were no intra-operative deaths in our study. Overall major bleeding incidence was 4.5%, whereby 70% of major bleeding episodes could be managed with SPVATS techniques. In order to determine risk factors possibly related to intra-operative bleeding, we used case control matching to homogenize our study population. After case control matching, pleural symphysis was significantly related in the univariate (p = 0.005, Odds ratio 4.415, 95% CI 1.424-13.685) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.006, Odds ratio 4.926, 95% CI 1.577-15.384). Operative time (p < 0.001), blood loss (p < 0.001), and post-operative hospital stay (p = 0.012) were longer in patients with major vascular injury. There were no differences in 30-day mortality and 90-day morbidity. In summary, major intra-operative bleeding episodes during SPVATS anatomic lung resections are acceptable and most such bleeding episodes can be safely managed with SPVATS techniques.

Evaluation, Surgical Management and Outcome of Traumatic Extremity Vascular Injuries: A 5-year Level-1 Trauma Centres Experience.

Objective: We aim to share our experience regarding the surgical management and outcome of extremity vascular trauma in level-1 trauma centres in Pakistan.Patients and methods: All consecutive patients with traumatic extremity vascular injury (TEVI) fulfilling the inclusion criteria; between June 2012 and June 2017 were included. The demographics, clinical presentation, management, and outcome measures were recorded.Results: The study included 81 patients. The mean age±standard deviation was 28.6±14.5 years and 81.5% (n=66) of the patients were males. Blunt TEVI was found in 65.4% (n=53) of the cases. Partial laceration was the most common type of arterial injury (64.2%, n=52) and autologous interposition venous grafting was the most common repair performed (60.5%, n=49). Fasciotomy was performed in 67.9% (n=55) of the patients. The limb salvage rate was 82.7%. The amputation rate was higher in the blunt trauma group when compared with that of the penetrating trauma group. The length of the intensive care unit stay and the use of polytetrafluoroethylene as interposition graft were two independent predictors of limb loss. The mortality rate in this series was 8.6%.Conclusion: Blunt TEVI is associated with higher morbidity and limb loss. The use of synthetic graft should be discouraged. The liberal use of autologous interposition venous graft and the judicious use of fasciotomies are helpful to achieve favorable outcomes.

Lesiones vasculares asociadas con accidentes de motocicleta. Serie de casos

BackgroundGiven the increase in motor vehicles in Bogota city in recent years, caused by lack of effective means of transportation and adequate roads; associated with recklessness of motorcyclists, a new type of patient has emerged, all members of trauma response must be coordinated to save the patient's life and injured limb. Motorcycle accidents are high energy traumas that in most cases affect limbs and acute vascular injuries that lead to amputation or late complications are frequent. Early diagnostic arteriography is very important to detect complex lesions and allows us a therapeutic planning. The aim of the study is to determine the type of vascular injuries associated with motorcycle accidents and their treatment. Materials and methodsWe performed a retrospective descriptive study, analyzing the patients who had motorcycle accidents. Variables were analyzed: Age, sex, type of orthopedic lesion, type of associated vascular lesion, lesioned artery, surgical or endovascular management, need for fasciotomies, indication and complications of arteriography, amputation and mortality at 30 days. ResultsA total of 81 patients, with 32 patients with major vascular injury (39%), 21 patients (25%) with a graft-graft, 5 patients by methods endovascular (6%), 7 patients required major amputation due to trauma (8.6%), mortality in 3 patients (3.7%). DiscussionEarly detection and specialized management of vascular injuries associated with motorcycles accidents is key for limb salvage. The incidence of amputation in spite of serious injuries is low. The integral management of the patient is very important to reduce morbidity and mortality. Level of evidenceIV.

Multidisciplinary team approach in the management of popliteal artery injury.

Popliteal artery injuries (PAIs) remain a challenging entity and carry the greatest risk of limb loss among traumatic lower extremity vascular injuries. Operative management of traumatic popliteal vascular injuries continues to evolve. Improved diagnostic imaging and the introduction of endovascular techniques offered alternative modalities to traditional surgical management. Despite major efforts in establishing protocols and guidelines in the management of vascular trauma, optimal strategies of traumatic PAIs are still under investigation. Herein, we discussed the role of multidisciplinary team, involving trauma and endovascular surgeons, emergency department personnel, and interventional radiologists in the management of complex PAIs.

The incidence, management and outcome of traumatic vascular injuries in a major trauma centre

The incidence, management and outcome of traumatic vascular injuries in a major trauma centre

A contemporary, 7-year analysis of vascular injury from the war in Afghanistan

ObjectiveVascular injury is a leading cause of death and disability in military and civilian trauma. Although a previous interim study defined the distribution of vascular injury during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a contemporary epidemiologic assessment has not been performed. The objective of this study was to provide a current analysis of vascular injury during the final 7 years of the war in Afghanistan, including characterization of anatomic injury patterns, mechanisms of injury, and methods of acute management. MethodsThe Department of Defense Trauma Registry was analyzed to identify U.S. military service members who sustained a battle-related vascular injury and survived to be treated at a surgical facility in Afghanistan between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2015. All battle-related injuries (nonreturn to duty) were used as a denominator to establish the injury rate. Mechanism and anatomic distribution of injury as well as the acute management strategies of revascularization, ligation, and use of endovascular techniques were defined. ResultsOf 3900 service members who sustained a battle-related injury, 685 patients (17.6%) had 1105 vascular injuries (1.6 vascular injuries per patient). Extremity trauma accounted for 72% (n = 796) of vascular injuries, followed by the torso (17%; n = 188) and cervical (11%; n = 118) regions. Lower extremity vascular injury was the most prevalent anatomic location (45%; 501/1105). Explosion with fragment penetration accounted for 70% (477/685) of injuries, whereas gunshot wounds accounted for 30% (205/685). Open repair was performed in 559 cases (57%; 554/981), whereas ligation was the initial management strategy in 40% (395/981) of cases. In addition, 374 diagnostic endovascular procedures were completed, 27 therapeutic endovascular interventions to include stent placement and angioplasty were performed and 55 inferior vena cava filters were placed. Mortality of the vascular injury cohort was 5%. ConclusionsThe rate of vascular injury in modern combat is higher than that reported in previous wars. Open reconstruction is performed in half of cases, although ligation is an important damage control option, especially for minor or distal vessel injuries. Angiographic techniques are increasingly being used and documented within wartime registries more than ever. Proficiency with open and endovascular methods of vascular injury management remains a critical need for the U.S. military and will require partnership with civilian institutions to attain and maintain.

Management of intra-abdominal vascular injury in trauma laparotomy: a South African experience.

Intra-abdominal vascular injury (IAVI) is uncommon but continues to be associated with high mortality rates despite technological advances in the past decades. In light of these ongoing developments, we reviewed our contemporary experience with IAVI in an attempt to clarify and refine our management strategies and the outcome of these patients. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients admitted between January 2011 and December 2014 at a major trauma centre in South Africa who were found to have an IAVI during laparotomy for trauma. We collected demographic and clinical data including mechanism of injury, location and severity of the injury, concurrent injuries, physiologic parameters and clinical outcome. We identified 110 patients with IAVIs, of whom 98 had sustained penetrating injuries (55 gunshot wounds and 43 stab wounds). There were 84 arterial injuries (including 21 renal and 17 mesenteric) and 74 venous injuries (including 21 renal and 17 inferior vena caval). Combined venous and arterial injuries were found in almost one-third of patients (34 [30.9%]). Fifty-seven patients (51.8%) required intensive care admission. The overall mortality rate was 28.2% (31 patients); the rate was 62% for aortic injuries and 47% for inferior vena cava injuries. Liver injury, large bowel injury, splenic injury and elevated lactate level were all associated with a statistically significantly higher mortality rate. The mortality rate for IAVI remains high despite decades of operative experience in high-volume centres. Open operative techniques alone are unlikely to achieve further reduction in mortality rates. Integration of endovascular techniques may provide an alternative strategy to improve outcomes.

Vascular surgical training concept for military surgeons in Germany

Due to the increasing threat of terrorist attacks and assassinations even in Europe, the interest in management of severe vascular injuries, which, with an increased incidence of 10% are to be expected with such penetrating wounds, is also growing; however, with increasing subspecialization in surgery there is a threat that the know-how in vascular surgery will become lost among non-vascular surgical specialists. Therefore, the Germany military established an educational program, the so-called DUOplus concept, to ensure that future military surgeons acquire and retain the experience and skills to fulfill the demanding role of adeployed surgeon. The DUOplus concept of the German Medical Forces is introduced with a special focus on vascular surgery training. All trainee German military surgeons attain asecond specialization alongside general surgery. This residency includes several courses in various surgical specialties as well as a12-month rotation in a vascular surgery department. The core elements of vascular trauma training are two practical courses on life-like models. In these courses, which were developed especially for the needs of non-vascular surgeons in hands-on training, open surgical techniques and damage control measures including resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) are taught on suitable models and intensively practiced. All surgeons potentially confronted with traumatic and iatrogenic vascular injuries should have some basic competence in the management of vascular trauma. Especially the courses in vascular surgery for non-vascular surgeons offer such askill set for every surgeon. Next to the German military surgeons, the courses are attended more and more by civilian and military surgeons from different surgical specialties and nationalities.

Contemporary Strategies in the Management of Civilian Abdominal Vascular Trauma.

The evaluation and management of patients with abdominal vascular trauma or injury requires immediate and effective decision-making in these unfavorable circumstances. The majority of these patients arrive at trauma centers in profound shock, secondary to massive blood loss, which is often unrelenting. Moreover, ischemia, compartment syndrome, thrombosis, and embolization may also be life threatening and require immediate intervention. To minimize the risk of these potentially lethal complications, early understanding of the disease process and emergent therapeutic intervention are necessary. In the literature, the management of acute traumatic vascular injuries is restricted to traditional open surgical techniques. However, in penetrating injuries surgeons often face a potentially contaminated field, which renders the placement of prosthetic grafts inappropriate. Currently, however, there are sparse data on the management of vascular trauma with endovascular techniques. The role of endovascular technique in penetrating abdominal vascular trauma, which is almost always associated with severe active bleeding, is limited. It is worth mentioning that hybrid operating rooms with angiographic radiology capabilities offer more opportunities for the management of this kind of injuries by either temporary control of the devastating bleeding using endovascular balloon tamponade or with embolization and stenting. On the other hand, blunt abdominal injuries are less dangerous and they could be treated at most times by endovascular means. Since surgeons continue to encounter abdominal vascular trauma, open and endovascular techniques will evolve constantly giving us encouraging messages for the near future.

Management of vascular injury in counter insurgency area: A single-center study

Background: Vascular trauma can threaten both limb as well as life of the patient. Combat-related vascular injuries are different from civilian vascular injuries in terms of epidemiology, mechanism, pathophysiology, and outcome. Combat or military trauma is generally penetrating trauma (high energy weapons). Difficult evacuation and transportation from the battle field complicates the vascular injury and its outcome. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, observational study conducted at a service hospital in Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-five patients with mean age 25.76 years (18–43 years) who underwent vascular intervention for trauma from December 2013 to November 2016 were included. Data pertaining to vascular injury regarding to site of injury, associated injuries, type of vascular repair, outcome, and complications were recorded and analyzed. Results: Five hundred and eighty trauma patients were admitted during the study period with 4.3% of the patients having vascular injury. All the patients were males and most of them were in the second or third decade of life. The mean time interval between the trauma and arrival to the hospital was 7 h. Lower extremity was the most common site of trauma (52%) of the patients followed by upper extremity. In 56% of the patients, vessels were repaired with reverse saphenous vein graft harvested from the uninjured limb. Two patients (8%) had secondary amputation and one patient (4%) died due to sepsis. Conclusion: Expeditious evacuation, quick transfer, early diagnosis and management including advanced endovascular care are essential for the limb salvage and survival of the serving soldiers.

Surgical treatment of arterial lower-limb injuries by fire arms

Background: Arterial ballistic injuries of the limbs are rarely encountered in civilian practice and the protocols of care are generally based on the experience gained during military conflicts. The aim of this study is to describe the medicosurgical management of the ballistic injuries of lower limbs with arterial damage and to develop a strategy for this type of rare lesions. Patients and Methods: It is a retrospective study of 11 male patients who underwent surgery for vascular lesions in the extremities caused by firearms. Results: The mean age was 33 years. The initial presentation in the emergency room was a hemodynamic shock in 5 patients, acute ischemia in 9 patients; externalized bleeding in 6 cases and one patient was seen at the aneurysm complication stage. Superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery were the most affected. Eight patients had also venous lesions and four patients had bone and nerve damage. All patients underwent arterial restoration by venous bypass surgery in 83.4% of cases and by end-to-end anastomosis in 16.6 %; simultaneously, 50 % of the venous lesions and 75% of the nerve lesions were repaired. Two patients were dead, one for bleeding shock and one for septic shock. The mean follow-up was 18 months. Three patients had surgical site infection and one patient had graft thrombosis. Conclusion: The management of vascular injuries caused by firearm requires surgical treatment by a multidisciplinary team with good results in the medium and long term essentially with isolated vascular injuries. Postoperative mortality and morbidity are directly related to hemodynamic status, surgical repair of vascular injuries and associated lesions in time, which leading to clear and rapid management.

Expert comments on “management of vascular injury in counter insurgency area: A single center study”

Expert comments on “management of vascular injury in counter insurgency area: A single center study”

Crisis Management Simulation: Establishing a Dual Neurosurgery and Anesthesia Training Experience.

Simulation training has been shown to be an effective teaching tool. Learner management of an intraoperative crisis such as a major cerebrovascular bleed requires effective teamwork, communication, and implementation of key skill sets at appropriate time points. This study establishes a first of a kind simulation experience in a neurosurgery/anesthesia resident (learners) team working together to manage an intraoperative crisis. Using a cadaveric cavernous carotid injury perfusion model, 7 neurosurgery and 6 anesthesia learners, were trained on appropriate vascular injury management using an endonasal endoscopic technique. Learners were evaluated on communication skills, crisis management algorithms, and implementation of appropriate skill sets at the right time. A preanatomic and postanatomic examination and postsimulation survey was administered to neurosurgery learners. Anesthesia learners provided posttraining evaluation through a tailored realism and teaching survey. Neurosurgery learners' anatomic examination score improved from presimulation (33.89%) to postsimulation (86.11%). No significant difference between learner specialties was observed for situation awareness, decision making, communications and teamwork, or leadership evaluations. Learners reported the simulation realistic, beneficial, and highly instructive. Realistic, first of kind, clinical simulation scenarios were presented to a neurosurgery/anesthesia resident team who worked together to manage an intraoperative crisis. Learners were effectively trained on crisis management, the importance of communication, and how to develop algorithms for future implementation in difficult scenarios. Learners were highly satisfied with the simulation training experience and requested that it be integrated more consistently into their residency training programs.

Extremity Vascular Injury Management: Good Outcomes Using Selective Referral to Vascular Surgeons

Revascularization after extremity vascular injury has long been considered an important skill among trauma surgeons. Increasingly, some trauma surgeons defer vascular repair in response to training or practice patterns. This study was designed to document results of extremity revascularization surgery to evaluate trauma surgeon outcomes and judicious referral of more complex injuries to vascular surgeons (VAS). The trauma registry of an urban level I trauma center was used to identify all patients from 2003 to 2013 who underwent an early (<24 hours) procedure for urgent management of acute injury to extremity vessels. Patients were managed by trauma (TRA) versus VAS based on the practice pattern of the on-call trauma surgeon. Injury and outcome variables were recorded. Of 115 patients, 84 patients were revascularized by trauma and 31 vascular surgeries. There was no difference in complication rates or frequency of any type of complication associated with repairs performed by VAS or TRA. There were similar rates between the two groups for patients with multiple injuries, such as venous, bone or tendon, and nerve injury to the affected extremity. One VAS patient and two TRA patients developed compartment syndrome. In appropriately selected patients, trauma surgeons achieve good outcomes after revascularization of injured extremities.