Use of Vascular Shunts in Unstable Lower Extremity Trauma Patients

We present a case of a 25-year-old male with gunshot to both lower extremities who was unstable at the time of admission. Bilateral superficial femoral arter and femoral vein injuries were found on exploration. Since the patient was unstable due to massive bleeding, vascular continuity was restored using argyle shunts in all vessels. Shunts were secured using vessel loops. After control of bleeding, the patient was started on heparin. Patient was taken to the intensive care unit for resuscitation. The patient was brought back to the operating room 24 hours later, and bilateral superficial femoral arteries and femoral veins were repaired using saphenous vein grafts. Vascular continuity was restored. Both legs had normal perfusion after vascular reconstruction.
Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Abstracts from the 2013 Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society Annual Meeting Source Type: research