Arterial Injury Associated With Fractures

Abstract

AVARYING degree of arterial damage occurs with every long-bone fracture. Injury to the nutrient and periosteal arteries, while significant in respect to fracture healing, is usually disregarded in the initial phase of fracture treatment. Interruption in the flow of blood of a large- or mediumsized vessel, on the other hand, is of prime importance in the care of a traumatized extremity. Under the impetus of World War II and the Korean War, the management of civilian arterial injuries has progressed beyond the confines of one surgical specialty. Regardless of whether such injuries are treated by a cooperative team of surgeons or with consultants, those caring for such trauma should recognize arterial injuries and have a knowledge of their treatment so that restoring normal circulation to peripheral tissue can be performed whenever possible. Deep, relatively fixed vessels are more prone to injury.¹ Consequently, in areas where arteries are intimately related