ARTERIAL GUNSHOT INJURIES OF THE EXTREMITIES - A SOUTH-AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

This is a retrospective study of 173 patients with gunshot injuries of the major arteries of the extremities. A selective policy for the use of angiography was followed, The arterial repair was achieved by vari ous means: primary end-to-end anastomosis, vein interposition graft, a nd polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) interposition grafts, Overall, the re were nine amputations in the lower limb. Ninety-eight percent of th e patients had a palpable pulse on discharge. There were 3 preoperativ e deaths, 1 intraoperative death, and 5 postoperative deaths (overall perioperative mortality, 3.5%). We conclude that the results of vascul ar extremity gunshot injuries are satisfactory when standard methods o f management are used. Morbidity and mortality can be further reduced by prompt admission to appropriate centers.