Role of Liberal Primary Fasciotomy in Traumatic Vascular Injury

BACKGROUND: Vascular injury represents less than 1% of all injuries, but deserves special attention because of its severe complications. Amputation or retention of a painful functionless limb is the most untoward result of severe vascular injury or inadequate treatmet. Thus, vascular injury needs a judicious and multidimensional approach. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study was done to asess the outcome of minor modifications of the methodology of extremity fasciotomy by making it liberal with respect to incision and definition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 55 patients in 2008, 45 patients (Group A) had either no fasciotomy or limited primary fasciotomy, 10 patients (Group B) had primary liberal fasciotomy. Another group from 2008 onwards had undergone primary liberal fasciotomy in all the 45 patients (Group C). RESULTS: In group A, we had 5 amputations and one death. In group B, there were no amputations or deaths and from group C, we had one amputation and no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt and distal traumatic vascular injury of the extremities and its repair should always combined with primary liberal fasciotomy, which although increases manageable morbidity, avoids disability (functional as well as anatomical).