Major vascular injury in civilian practice in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent of the problem of major vascular injuries in our practice and also to analyse the causes and the results of our management of these injuries at Mpilo Central Hospital.

DESIGN

A study of eight patients who were treated for major vascular injuries at Mpilo Central Hospital between 1989 and 1994.

SETTING

Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

SUBJECTS

Eight patient who were treated for major vascular injuries.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Causes of vascular injury, other injuries, haemodynamic state on admission, surgical procedures carried out, complications and outcome.

RESULTS

All three major vascular injuries due to stab wounds were successfully repaired. Of the four patients with major vascular injuries due to complicated orthopaedic injuries, two had successful repair of the vascular injury but the other two underwent amputation. The eighth patient who sustained an arterial injury during the course of a difficult operation for a tumour on the left forearm had a successful repair of the vascular injury.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that stab wounds and complicated orthopaedic injuries are the main cause of major vascular injury in civilian practice in our community. The importance of adequate resuscitation, early diagnosis and early appropriate surgical intervention is emphasized.