Trattamento in urgenza delle lesioni traumatiche del ginocchio. Lesioni acute associate vascolo-nervose.

This report evaluates resulta in the management of 51 cases of traumatic popliteal vessels injuries associated to traumatic lesions of the knee. In 40 cases the arterial injury was diagnosed both clinically and by Doppler exam; in 11 cases arteriography was performed. Bone synthesis was first performed in 11 cases with Hoffmann's external fixation device, in 7 cases with "a minima" synthesis and in further 7 cases with A.O. tecnique. Forty-eight of the 51 arterial recontructions required interposition by-pass graft, 40 of wich were autogenous saphenous veins. Thirty-four patients had associated venous injuries and 22 venous injuries were repaired. In 18 patients the ischemic time was shortened by the use of temporary silastic shunt for restoration of arterial flow. In 12 cases fasciotomy there was functinal loss: particularly when nerves were injured or articular bone fractures were present.