Results of reconstruction in major pelvic and extremity venous injuries

Review article: History of venous trauma

ABSTRACT

This is a literature review on the history of venous trauma since the 1800s, especially that to the common femoral, femoral and popliteal veins, with focus on the early 1900s, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and then civilian and military reviews (1960-2020). In the latter two groups, tables were used to summarize the following: incidence of venous repair versus ligation, management of popliteal venous injuries, patency of venous repairs when assessed <30 days from operation, patency of venous repairs when assessed >30 days from operation, clinical assessment (edema or not) after ligation versus repair, incidence of deep venous thrombosis after ligation versus repair, and incidence of pulmonary embolism after ligation versus repair.There is a lack of the following in the literature on the management of venous injuries over the past 80 years: standard definition of magnitude of venous injury in operative reports, accepted indications for venous repair, standard postoperative management, and timing and mode of early and later postoperative assessment.Multiple factors have entered into the decision on venous ligation versus repair after trauma for the past 60 years, but a surgeon's training and local management protocols have the most influence in both civilian and military centers. Ligation of venous injuries, particularly those in the lower extremities, is well tolerated in civilian trauma, although there is the usual lack of short- and long-term follow-up as noted in many of the articles reviewed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Review article, levels IV and V.

Comparison of traditional vascular reconstruction with covered stent in the treatment of subclavian artery injury

PURPOSE

To explore the significance of traditional vascular reconstruction and covered stent for limb salvage after subclavian artery injury.

METHODS

Patients with subclavian artery injury admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All the injuries have been confirmed by intraoperative exploration, computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography. Complete or partial amputation injuries were excluded. Mild artery defect or partial intimal damage was treated by interventional implantation, while other patients received open surgeries, including direct suture of small defect less than 2 cm and transplantation with autologous vein or artificial blood when the defect was more than 2 cm. Patients were divided into open surgery group and stent implantation group based on the treatment they received. Patients were followed up at 2 weeks (first stage) and 6 months (second stage) after operation to investigate limb salvage. Student's t-test was used to compare the general data between two groups and Chi-square test to analyze the rate of limb salvage.

RESULTS

Altogether 50 cases of subclavian artery injury were treated, including 36 cases of open surgery and 14 cases of stent implantation. Combination of nerve injury was observed in 27 cases (75.0%) in open surgery group and 12 cases (85.7%) in stent implantation group. Amputation developed in 3 cases with open surgery and 1 case with stent implantation. Consequently the rate of successful limb salvage was respectively 91.7% (33/36) and 92.9% (13/14), revealing no significant difference (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rapid reconstruction of blood circulation is crucial following subclavian artery injury, no matter what kinds of treatment strategies have been adopted. Interventional stent implantation can achieve a good effect for limb salvage.

Homologous and heterologous assessment of a novel biomaterial for venous patch

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated swine and bovine pulmonary visceral pleura (PVP) as a vascular patch. Venous patches are frequently used in surgery for repair or reconstruction of veins. Autologous patches are often limited by the number and dimension of donor tissue and can result in donor complications. Bovine pericardium is the most common heterologous patch used by vascular surgeons. Researchers, however, are continually seeking to improve heterologous and synthetic patches for improved outcome.

METHODS

The PVP was peeled from swine and bovine lungs and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. After sterilization and rinsing, the PVP patches were implanted in the jugular vein (10 × 35 mm) of pigs and dogs. Patency was evaluated by ultrasound, and animals were euthanized at 2 and 4 months. Neoendothelium and neomedia were evaluated by histologic analysis.

RESULTS

The jugular vein patched by PVP in pigs and dogs remained patent at 2 and 4 months with no adhesions, inflammation, or aneurysm in the patches. The biomarkers of endothelial cells-factor VIII, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase-were detected in the neoendothelial cells. The expression of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) α-actin was robust in the neomedia at 2 and 4 months. Neomedia composed of VSMCs developed to nearly double the thickness of adjacent jugular vein. The circumferential orientation of VSMCs in neomedia further increased in the 4-month group.

CONCLUSIONS

The cross-linked swine and bovine PVP patch has a nonthrombogenic surface that maintains patency. The PVP patch may overcome the pitfall of compliance mismatch of synthetic patches. The proliferation of vascular cells assembled in the neoendothelium and neomedia in the patches may support long-term patency.

Iatrogenic Vascular Injuries of the Abdomen and Pelvis: The Experience at a Hellenic University Hospital

Background:

The aim of this study is to present the experience of a Vascular Division at a Hellenic University hospital concerning the management of iatrogenic vascular injuries (IVIs) of the abdomen or pelvis.

Patients and Methods:

This is a retrospective study evaluating all IVIs reported during a 10-year period in our institution. Only injuries warranting a vascular surgeon consultation were included in the study. Non-iatrogenic injuries were not included. Mortality and major complications within 30 days were evaluated.

Results:

Overall, 70 cases were recorded, with 41% being venous and 59% being arterial injuries. Iliac arteries (51%) were the most common location and rupture/lacerations (73%) were the most common type of injury. General surgery (61.5%) and cardiology (30%) procedures were the most frequently involved procedures. A 30-day mortality was 5.7%, with 30% of cases treated conservatively. Synthetic bypass grafting (odds ratio [OR] = 65.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.022-1050.358; P = .003) and male gender (OR = 83.77; 95% CI, 4.040-1736.738; P = .004) were associated with death.

Conclusions:

Iatrogenic vascular injuries of the abdomen or pelvis are usually associated with general surgery and endovascular procedures. When vascular consultation is requested early, mortality could remain low. However, a selected number of stable patients with retroperitoneal or pelvic hematomas could be treated conservatively, yielding satisfying results.

Understanding venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are open lesions between the knee and the ankle joint, which occur in the presence of venous insufficiency. There are theories to explain the causes of venous insufficiency, which ultimately leads to venous hypertension and can result in leg ulceration. Although many patients present with evidence of venous hypertension, others do not, except for the manifestation of the ulcer. There are risk factors associated with venous insufficiency and a holistic approach must be taken in order to influence the management approach of venous leg ulceration. This article discusses venous insufficiency as a disease process, and explores the nursing assessment process, when assessing venous leg ulcers related to venous insufficiency.

Treatment Options of Iatrogenic Pelvic Vein Injuries: Conventional Operative Versus Endovascular Approach

Iatrogenic injury to the iliac vein or inferior vena cava (IVC), which may occur during abdominal operations or posterior orthopedic procedures, can have devastating consequences. Operative management is challenging and may be associated with significant morbidity. The authors report herein 3 cases of iatrogenic pelvic vein injuries that were managed with different treatment approaches. Both traditional open surgical therapy and endovascular techniques are described.

Management of traumatic popliteal vein injuries

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate different repair methods of popliteal vein injuries, and to assess the relationship between early patency and surgical outcome.

METHODS

Thirty patients with popliteal vein injuries underwent surgical repair procedure at our hospital from March 2000 to April 2010. Patients who were haemodynamically unstable and those with massive bleeding from limb wounds were taken directly to the operating room. Stable patients underwent preoperative colour-flow duplex ultrasonography (CFDU).

RESULTS

Our study group consisted of 26 males and 4 females, ranging in age from 17 to 60 years with a mean age of 25.3 ± 5.9 years. The mechanism of trauma was penetrating in 27 patients and blunt in the remaining 3 patients. Treatment included primary venous repair in 11 cases, end-to-end anastomosis in 8, interposition vein graft in 10, and interposition polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft in 1. There were 26 patients with associated arterial injury, of which 4 cases had primary repair, 9 had end-to-end anastomosis, 11 had saphenous vein graft interposition, and 2 had PTFE graft interposition. Associated bone fracture was seen in 6 patients. There were no deaths. One patient required a below-knee amputation. Postoperative CFDU revealed thrombosed venous repair in 7 cases without any sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Popliteal venous injuries can be repaired with minimal downside and a good early patency rate. Additionally, transient venous patency allows for establishment of venous and lymphatic collateralisation. Alternatively, venous ligation should be considered only in unstable patients who refuse blood transfusion (Jehovah's witnesses). In these victims, adjuvant management may be required such as the use of fasciotomy and anticoagulation treatment.

Iatrogenic major venous injuries incurred during cancer surgery

PURPOSE

Iatrogenic operative injury to the major veins is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to review the pattern, management, and outcome of iatrogenic major venous injuries incurred during cancer surgery.

METHODS

We reviewed 24 patients with collective 30 venous injuries, evaluating clinical characteristics; operative and postoperative data, including location and type of venous injury, operative repair, blood loss, and transfusion requirements; and outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty venous and 12 associated arterial injuries were identified. The two most common sites of venous trauma were the iliac and femoral veins with 10 (33.3%) and 9 (30.0%) injuries, respectively. Twenty-three (76.7%) of the venous injuries were repaired primarily or with end-to-end anastomosis, while the remaining injuries required interposition grafts, patch venoplasty, or venous ligation. Postoperative revision procedures were performed in 3 (12.5%) patients. Perioperative mortality was 16.7% and major complications developed in 11 (45.8%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serious complications can be minimized by immediate recognition and prompt repair of iatrogenic vascular injuries. Close collaboration with a vascular surgeon during resection of tumors in proximity to the vascular structures may be helpful in preventing iatrogenic vascular injuries. In hospitals where tumor resection procedures are frequently performed, a vascular surgeon must be readily available.

[Penetrating injuries to the pelvis]

As criminality and weapon use increase, general and military surgeons are increasingly confronted with penetrating pelvic injuries both at home and on peacekeeping missions. Penetrating injuries to the iliac vascular axis are associated with considerable mortality, and thus the majority of these emergency patients arrive in a state of deep hypovolemic shock. Concomitant bowel injuries are present in one of five cases, resulting in contamination of the damaged area. Surgical options are simple lateral repair, ligation of the veins, temporary shunt insertion, and prosthetic graft interposition in the injured artery. In extremis ligation of the common or external iliac artery may be the only option to save the patient's life. Surgeons must be aware that damage control surgery and related methods may be needed early on to enable patient survival.

Iatrogenic operative injuries of abdominal and pelvic veins: a potentially lethal complication

PURPOSE

Epidemiologic studies of vascular injuries are usually limited to those caused by trauma. The purpose of this study was to review the management and clinical outcome in patients with operative injuries to abdominal and pelvic veins.

METHODS

Clinical data and outcome in all patients with iatrogenic venous injuries during abdominal and pelvic operations between 1985 and 2002 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Forty patients (21 men, 19 women; mean age, 51 years [range, 27-87 years]) sustained 44 venous injuries. Injuries occurred during general (30%), colorectal (23%), orthopedic (20%), gynecologic (15%), and other (12%) operations. Factors leading to injury included oncologic resection (65%), difficult anatomic exposure (63%), previous operation (48%), recurrent tumor (28%), and radiation therapy (20%). All patients had substantial bleeding (mean, 3985 mL; range, 500-20,000 mL). Injuries were located in the inferior vena cava (n = 6), portal vein (n = 7), renal vein (n = 1), and iliac vein (n = 30). Repair was performed with venorrhaphy (64%), end-to-end anastomosis (14%), interposition graft (20%), and vessel ligation (2%). Seven patients (18%) died of injury-related causes, including multisystem organ failure (n = 4), uncontrollable bleeding (n = 2), and pulmonary embolism (n = 1). Thirteen patients (32.5%) had major injury-related complications, including repeat exploration because of bleeding (n = 6), multisystem organ failure (n = 6), and venous thrombosis (n = 4). In two patients (5%) unilateral lower extremity edema developed, with no evidence of thrombosis. There was no late graft or venous thrombosis. Variables associated with increased risk for death were massive bleeding, acidosis, hypotension, and hypothermia (P <.05).

CONCLUSION

Operative injuries of abdominal and pelvic veins occur in patients undergoing oncologic resection and those with difficult anatomic exposure, owing to previous operation, recurrent tumor, or radiation therapy. Massive blood loss, acidosis, hypotension, and hypothermia are associated with increased risk for death. Repair of venous injuries offers durable results with low incidence of graft or venous thrombosis.

Vascular trauma in high-velocity gunshot wounds and shrapnel-blast injuries in Israel

High-velocity gunshot and shrapnel-blast vascular injuries pose a great challenge and need to be approached in a systematic, multidisciplinary fashion. Early revascularization with temporary shunts, the use of autologous tissue, major venous reconstruction, a low threshold for fasciotomy, and reliable tissue coverage are the mainstays of management.