GUNSHOT ARTERIAL INJURIES TO THE GROIN - COMPARISON, OF ILIAC AND FEMORAL INJURIES

In a prospective study of 69 patients with gunshot arterial injuries t o the groin, there were 18 patients with iliac and 51 with femoral art ery injuries. In the former group, the majority of patients wave admit ted with gross physiological derangement that did not respond to pre-o perative resuscitation, so were taken directly to theatre. There was a 39 per cent peri-operative mortality. A prompt operation is mandatory to improve the chances of survival of patients with this injury. In t he latter group all patients responded to pre-operative resuscitation and in the great majority, the diagnosis was established by the presen ce of 'hard' signs of arterial injury alone. There was a 4 per cent am putation rate and no mortality. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.