A Comparison of Interposition and Femoropopliteal Bypass Grafts in the Management of Popliteal Artery Trauma

Background: Peripheral vascular injury associated with lower limb trauma is a well-known emergency. The experience for the management of popliteal artery trauma have mainly come from managing the traumas of military personnels during Iran-Iraq war. The present study compared the effects of two currently-used surgical techniques in the management of popliteal trauma, namley femoropopliteal bypass graft and interposition vein graft on limb salvage. Methods: A retrospective review of 40 patients with popliteal artery trauma admitted to the trauma unit of a university teaching hospital during 2003 to 2008. The patients had undergone femoropopliteal bypass graft (n=26) or interposition vein graft (n=14) for the management of popliteal trauma. Results: The amputation rate among patients managed by femoropopliteal bypass or interposition vein graft was 35.7% and 61.5%, respectively. Knee stability among patients managed by interposition graft group was 57.7% and in those managed by femoropopliteal bypass graft was 85.7%. Conclusion: The rates of knee stability achieved by the employed techniques indicate that femoropopliteal bypass vein graft is superior, and therefore, preferable to the interposition vein graft in the management of popliteal artery trauma.