Abstract

• PURPOSE: To compare the outcome in patients who have popliteal artery injury associated with fracture and/or dislocation around the knee according to treatment option. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have reviewed fourteen cases of popliteal artery injury patients associated with fracture and/or dislocation injury around the knee who had visited at Chungnam National University Hospital from April 1997 to July 1999. RESULTS: Combined skeletal injuries included fracture of distal femur, fracture of proximal tibia, and dislocation of the knee. Internal or external fixation was applied for skeletal injuries. We repaired the injured popliteal artery using end-to-end anastomosis (3 cases), interposed saphenous vein graft (9 cases), prosthetic vein graft (1 case), or thrombectomy alone (1 case). The amputation rate was 21 % (3 out of 14 patients). In limb salvage cases, we evaluated the function of knee joint, and the results were as follows : good 5 cases, fair 3 cases, and poor 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and prompt management for injuries of the popliteal artery is the most important factor to save the limb. Also, complete resection of all injured portion of vessel and reconstruction of patency through interposed saphenous vein graft are most useful method.
• Key words: Knee joint, Popliteal artery injury, Fracture, Dislocation, Saphenous vein graft

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