ADVANCES IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF EXTREMITY VASCULAR TRAUMA

The principles of management of extremity vascular trauma have largely developed over the past 50 years, and they are still evolving. The need for rapid and accurate diagnosis was achieved by routine surgical exploration of injured extremities until arteriography became established in the early 1980s. Recently, less invasive and less costly diagnostic modalities are being used. Treatment has progressed from ligation to surgical repair, with a recent trend toward nonoperative management of select vascular injuries. Many issues remain to be clarified by further experience and research.