Study of risk factors affecting the limb salvage in patients with lower extremity arterial trauma

Background: Vascular injury in extremity is a complication of both blunt and penetrating trauma. In Indian scenario, patients generally present late to the tertiary care center with mangled extremity for treatment. The aim of the study is to assess the risk factors affecting the outcome in the management of patients with lower extremity arterial trauma. Materials and Methods: A single-center, observational study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, from January 2013 to June 2017. Sixty patients of lower extremity arterial trauma who underwent revascularization were included and followed up for 6 months. All the risk factors (mode/mechanism of injury, time since injury, compartment syndrome, mangled extremity severity score [MESS], etc.,) and limb salvage were assessed at 6 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Results: Majority of the patients presented late (6-24 h) of injury and had high mean MESS (7.85). The most common mechanism of injury was blunt trauma (83.3%), and popliteal artery (72%) was the most commonly injured artery. Limb salvage was achieved in 75% of the patients. Time since injury and MESS score affected the limb salvage significantly. On multivariate analysis, MESS score was the single independent factor which affected the limb salvage (95% confidence interval, 0.231-0.769, P = 0.005). Conclusions: MESS is the most important predictors for limb salvage. Multidisciplinary team approach with timely diagnosis and immediate repair is the key to the ultimate goal of functional limb salvage.