Penetrating popliteal artery injuries in children. 1988

G W Holcomb, and P W Meacham, and R H Dean
Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232.

Two children, aged 8 and 12, were seen recently at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital with gunshot injury to the popliteal artery. Both patients presented with late complications following missed penetrating injury to the popliteal artery. At presentation, distal pulses were palpable despite significant proximal arterial injury. Arteriography detailed traumatic popliteal artery aneurysms in both children, and an arteriovenous fistula in one child. These two children represent the youngest patients recorded in the surgical literature with gunshot trauma to the popliteal artery, subsequent formation of traumatic aneurysms, and an arteriovenous fistula. The increasing availability of guns and rifles in the household will likely increase the incidence of such injuries to children. As evidenced by these children, palpable pulses distal to an injury do not obviate the need for arteriography when arterial injury is suspected. Autogenous repair of the injured artery or reconstruction with autogenous vein graft is preferable for repair of vascular injuries in children.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011150 Popliteal Artery The continuation of the femoral artery coursing through the popliteal fossa; it divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. Arteria Poplitea,Artery, Popliteal,Popliteal Arteries
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000783 Aneurysm Pathological outpouching or sac-like dilatation in the wall of any blood vessel (ARTERIES or VEINS) or the heart (HEART ANEURYSM). It indicates a thin and weakened area in the wall which may later rupture. Aneurysms are classified by location, etiology, or other characteristics. Saccular Aneurysm,Fusiform Aneurysm,Aneurysm, Fusiform,Aneurysms,Aneurysms, Fusiform,Fusiform Aneurysms
D014950 Wounds, Penetrating Wounds caused by objects penetrating the skin. Penetrating Wound,Penetrating Wounds,Wound, Penetrating

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