TWO CASES OF VASCULAR INJURY DUE TO BLUNT TRAUMA (RIGHT SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY, RIGHT COMMON FEMORAL ARTERY)

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. 2809 - 2813
• Main Authors: TAKAYA, Kiyoshi, SAKAI, Nobumitsu, HANDA, Kazuyoshi, OE, Dai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2000
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.61.2809

Vascular injury due to blunt trauma is a relatively rare entity. Recently, we encountered two cases of vascular rupture and obstruction caused by blunt trauma. Patient 1, a 35-year-old man, developed obstruction of the right subclavian artery associated with a fracture of the sternum in a traffic accident. He did not complain of coldness or numbness of the right arm, but there was a difference in blood pressure between the two arms. Hence, we concluded that he had an arteral injury. Since he was young and the injury was in his right hand, revascularization was performed. Patient 2 sustaind a bruise in the right inguinal region and presented with rupture of the right common femoral artery. Prominent swelling of the right thigh was comfirmed and no pulsation was felt in the popliteal artery and below. CT scanning led to a suspicion of vascular injury and the patient was operated up. At operation, no injuries were present in the femoral veins or nerves and only arterial injury was confirmed. The operative procedure consisted of revasculaization alone and the postoperative course was uneventful. Because the overlying skin was intact, hematomas retained in the subcutaneous area and muscles causing hemorrhagic shock, but this patient escaped death due to hemorrhage. We present these two cases together with some notes and bibliographical comments.