Blunt popliteal artery injury without fracture or dislocation of the knee

Objective To study the early diagnosis and treatment of the blunt popliteal artery injury without fracture or dislocation of the knee. Methods From March 1984 to November 2002, 11 cases of blunt popliteal artery injury without fracture or dislocation of the knee were diagnosed as earlier as possible based on clinical analysis including injury condition, clinical examination and Doppler-Duplex ultrasonography and treated with early repair of the injured arteries, intraoperative or postoperative anticoagulation, immediate fasciotomy and thorough debridement of the ischemic and necrotic muscules and soft tissue. Results There was one with amputation and two with slight dysfunction of the lower extremity, as did not affect normal daily lives. One case had serious dysfunction of the lower extremity due to thrombosis at the injured popliteal artery after first operation and had to receive second operation so as to remove thrombus and repair the popliteal by autograft of the saphena magna vein. However, there left severe function disorder of the extremities. Conclusion A rational and prompt diagnosis and treatment for blunt popliteal artery injury without fracture or dislocation of the knee will decrease the adverse effect of ischemia and reduce overall morbidity.