155 vascular injuries: a retrospective study in Kuwait, 1992-2000.

Objectives: To audit the management of vascular trauma in Kuwait, 1992-2000.

Design: Retrospective open study.

Setting: Vascular surgery unit, teaching hospital, Kuwait.

Subjects: 155 patients with vascular injuries, most of which (n = 118) involved the extremities. 21 had neck injuries, 10 abdominal, and 6 chest.

Intervention: Revascularisation usually using the long saphenous vein in addition to direct repair or end-to-end anastomosis.

Main outcome: Morbidity (amputation) and mortality.

Results: Four lower limb grafts failed, two of which (2/69, 3%) required amputation. Overall, four patients died (3%), one of pulmonary embolism and 3 of severe injuries to major abdominal vessels. 3/10 patients with abdominal vascular trauma died. Mean (SD) follow up period was 4.4 (2) years.

Conclusions: Civilian violence has increased in Kuwait. Vascular trauma to abdominal vessels is associated with high mortality. Autogenous saphenous vein forms an excellent conduit for revascularisation.