Abstract

A retrospective analysis of acute abdominal vascular injuries was performed to review outcome variables and treatment principles. The authors review their most recent 5-year experience with 106 major abdominal vascular injuries in 64 patients treated at a combined Army and Air Force urban medical center. The majority of the patients were young men who sustained penetrating injuries. There were 41 (64%) gunshot wounds, 17 (27%) stab wounds, and 6 (9%) sustained blunt trauma. Forty-five patients (71%) came to the hospital in shock. The inferior vena cava in 26 patients (41%) and the aorta in 11 patients (17%) were injured most frequently. Suture repair was possible in 53 (50%) injuries. Ligation was performed in 41 (39%). Overall mortality for the series was 39 per cent. Hemorrhagic shock was the cause of death in 23 patients (92%) with only two late deaths. Transfusion requirement, presence of shock, and number of vessels injured all affected outcome. Immediate stabilization in the emergency department includes appropriate crystalloid and blood product resuscitation with minimal delay for diagnostic studies. Prompt abdominal exploration to control hemorrhage and particular attention to factors associated with coagulopathy remain the key elements in saving the lives of these severely injured patients.