A Ten Year Review of Civilian Iliac Vessel Injuries from a Single Trauma Centre

ObjectiveTo report the surgical management and outcome of iliac vessel (IV) injuries in a civilian trauma centre with a high incidence of penetrating trauma.Design, patients and methodsA retrospective record review of patients with IV injuries treated between January 2000 and December 2009.ResultsSixty nine patients, 59 with gunshot wounds, sustained 108 iliac vessel injuries. Mean revised trauma and injury severity scores was 7.06 and 28.4, respectively. Twenty nine patients required damage control laparotomy. Common or external iliac arteries were repaired by primary repair (10), temporary shunt with delayed graft (6), interposition graft (5) or ligation if limb non-viable (3). Forty-seven patients had injuries to the common or external iliac vein, 42 were ligated. Mortality was 25% and 6 survivors required amputation.ConclusionsIn a stable patient a primary arterial repair is preferred but a temporary shunt can be a life and limb saving option in the unstable patient. Ligating the common or external iliac veins is associated with a low incidence of prolonged leg swelling.