Abstract
Injury to the popliteal artery results in amputation more frequently than any other arterial
injury. The major factor in the amputated limbs was a delay in diagnosis and therapy of the
arterial injury associated with blunt trauma. The proximal tibial fractures produced the highest
percentage of vascular complications and indicated immediate application of therapeutic
measures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term results and factors that
influences the results of surgical treatment in patients with combined proximal tibial fracture and
popliteal artery injury. Authors reviewed the records of 24 cases treated for this injury between
January 1984 and May 1997. The age of the patients ranged from 17 to 70 years(average 45
years). Nine patients presented with life threatening injuries and classical signs of acute limb
ischemia. Prolonged ischemic time ranged from 3 to 6 hours 30 minutes(average 4 hours 50
minutes). The most common cause of thoses injury was traffic accident in 16 cases. Five cases
had neurologic deficit ; significant soft tissue injury was present in 14 extremities. Vascular
procedures included saphenous vein interposition, end-to-end anastomosis, etc. Bony procedures
were accomplished by external means in 14 cases and the others treated by immediate internal
fixation in 5 cases. Intraoperative fasciotomy was performed in 5 patients with lower limb
ischemia.
The results suggested that limb salvage was possible in 63 percent of patients with combined
proximal tibial fracture and popliteal artery injuries, but a history of life-threatening condition
and severe associated injury with vascular compromise was an unfavorable prognostic factor. So
a well organized multidisciplinary approach is necessary to ensure life and functional limb
salvage.