Aim: To assess the technical success, primary patency and associated complications in the treatment of acute arterial injuries caused by penetrating trauma using stent grafts through an endovascular maneuver, and to compare these results with a group who were treated surgically.
Patients & methods: Six (6) patients presenting with penetrating trauma of the extremities associated with vascular injury were studied in the period from August 2013 till August 2015. These patients had arteriovenous fistula or a pseudoaneurysm that occurred due to penetrating trauma. They were treated using stent grafts. This group was compared to another group of (10) patients who were treated surgically by exploration and repair.
Results: The technical success rate was 100% in both groups. The patency rate in 3 months was 100%
for both groups while in 6 months it was 83.3 % for the stent graft group and 100% for the surgical group.
Conclusion: Using stent graft in the treatment of arterial injuries resulting from penetrating trauma is a minimally invasive procedure, time saving, and is not associated with surgical wound infection.