Arterial injuries in orthopaedics: the posteromedial approach for vascular control about the knee.

Abstract

Combined orthopaedic and vascular injuries are becoming more common owing to an increasing incidence of high-energy trauma and gunshot wounds. We present our experience using the posteromedial approach in treating eight orthopaedic patients with popliteal arterial injuries. All patients underwent popliteal exploration by a vascular surgeon through a posteromedial approach (releasing the pes anserinus and the medial gastrocnemius). The arterial injuries were reconstructed in five patients using a reverse saphenous vein graft and directly repaired in three patients. Two patients had delayed healing of their incisions as a result of the original injury. There were no neural injuries. The posteromedial approach is extensile and utilitarian, and it represents the exposure of choice for arterial injuries about the knee.