Vascular trauma in Latin America: a regional survey.

As has been demonstrated, significant differences exist in demographics and the likelihood of accidents among Latin American countries; however, when figures were standardized, they showed a clear similarity in all the reviewed features of vascular trauma. A total of 66.4% of cases were managed solely on a clinical basis, with 78.9% of surgical procedures being performed within 6 hours of injury. Vascular repair was attempted in 84% of arterial injuries and 43% of venous injuries. Results are extremely good, with an 89% rate of success, especially considering that 63% of injuries were gunshot wounds and that the largest series, from Brazil, had a 21.3% rate of abdominopelvic injuries. The mortality rate amounted to 12.7%, but associated injuries, and particularly multiple trauma, account for 50.0% of the deaths.