Femoral vessel injuries; high mortality and low morbidity injuries

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2012 Aug;38(4):359-71. doi: 10.1007/s00068-012-0206-x. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

Abstract

Femoral vessel injuries are amongst the most common vascular injuries admited in busy trauma centers. The evolution of violence and the increase in penetrating trauma from the urban battlefields of city streets has raised the incidence of femoral vessel injuries, which account for approximately 70% of all peripheral vascular injuries. Despite the relatively low mortality associated with these injuries, there is a high level of technical complexity required for the performance of these repairs. Similarly, they incur low mortality but are associated with significantly high morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are the keys to successful outcomes with the main goals of managing ischemia time, restoring limb perfusion, accomplishing limb salvage and instituting rehabilitation as soon as possible.

Keywords: Anatomy; Management of femoral vessel injuries; Morbidity and mortality; Vascular injuries.