At the Department of Surgery in Pilsen in 1982-1991 a total of 26 patients with upper extremity vascular injuries was treated. Brachial artery was injured most commonly (50%). The direct trauma was responsible for 88.5% injuries, indirect injury was recorded in 11.5% cases only. The incidence of concomitant injuries of the vein, nerve or bone was 73.1%. Approximately one third of arterial injuries was caused by criminal offences. The vascular reconstruction was performed in all 26 patients. The overall patency rate was 84.6%, the amputation rate was 3.8%. One patient with polytrauma died of sepsis (3.8%). The authors give a comprehensive review of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of vascular injuries of the upper extremities.

Chirurgická klinika FN Plzen