Abstract

• The injury of popliteal artery is commonly produced by fracture or dislocation around the knee. Well established protocol for urgent diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoid amputation. The 14 cases of popliteal artery injury, treated between April 1987 and June 1995 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery Korea University Hospital, were reviewed. The results were as follows. 1. In all 14 cases, 4 extremities(28%) were amputated. The amputation rate was closely correlated with the ischemic time since the accident. 2. The use of Doppler flowmeter after physical examination and emergency arteriography before exploration was recognized to be an exellent method in determination of arterial injury, 3. Among the patients who could avoid amputation(10 cases), the vein graft was performed in 8 cases(80%) and primary repair by end to end anastomosis in 2 cases(20%). 4. External fixation is recommended for its simplicity and low infection rate to provide the fixation and collateral circulation of fracture site. 5. The patients who were injured with the wide soft tissue defect by crushing could be treated by latissimus dorsi free flap transfer to avoid amputation.
• Key words: Popliteal artery injury, Reconstruction

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