Traumatic arterial injuries of the upper extremity: determinants of disability.

Of 233 patients who sustained vascular injuries during a 13 year period, 99 had involvement of the upper extremity. The primary site of upper extremity injuries was the brachial artery (43 patients), and the primary cause of injury was gunshot wounds. The majority of the vascular injuries were repaired primarily. Nerve injuries occurred in 56 of the patients, and they were the primary cause of disability. Edema and infection were not significant determinants of limitations in function. Gunshot wounds to the brachial artery resulted in the highest incidence of disability and limb loss.