TIBIAL ARTERY INJURIES

Between January-1985 and March-2001, 53 patients with tibial arterial in juries were treated at our department. Forty­ one cases were male (77%), 12 cases were femal e (23%) and the mean age was 27.6 years (range, 6 to 55 years). The causes of injuries were related to gun shots with 24 (45%), trafic accidents with 14 (26%), penetrating trauma with 12 (23%) and blunt trauma with 3 (6%). Arterial injuries were accompanied with 31 (58%) bone fracture and 15 (28%) extensi ve tissue defect. The injured arteries were treated by saphenous vein interposition grafting in 45 (62%) extremities, end to end anostomosis in 9 (13%), trombectomy in 9 (13%), ligation in 8 (11%) and lateral repair in 1 (1%) extremities. Fasciotomy was performed in 14 cases. Six (11%) patients underwent amputation. Asa result, ex­ tensive soft tissue defects and bone fractures have significantly increased the amputation rate. Early management will prevent the serious complications of ischemia, pseudoaneury sm, arteriovenous fistula and fascial compartment compression.