Major peripheral veins injuries.

The injury was severe in wounded limb patients of this series who suffered from an associated major peripheral vein trauma. The presence of such an injury weighed heavily on the prognosis. Thirty eight patients with major peripheral veins injuries are reviewed. The injury had resulted from war wounds, work or road accidents. The superficial femoral vein was the most frequently injured vein. Associated injuries were frequently noted: soft tissues injuries in 35 patients, fractures in 33, arterial injuries in 32 and peripheral nerve injuries in 22 patients. Shock was more often present and more severe in patients who suffered also from a vein injury than in patients with an arterial injury only. The lacerated femoral vein was ligated in the majority of patients. Attempts were made to repair the lacerated popliteal veins. Repair of the vein was usually done by anastomosis of debrided ends. When an arterial injury was also present, it was repaired first. The postoperative complications were frequent and included infections, thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolisations. Twenty four patients were discharged with a viable limb. Complete function was recovered in seven patients only. Partial neurological deficit remained in twelve patients and complete paralysis in five. Twelve patients underwent subsequent amputation of the injured limb. Indications for amputation were ischemia in eight, infection or extensive destruction of tissues in four. Two patients died.