Management of distal femoral and popliteal arterial injuries: an update.

Background: The management of combined arterial and musculoskeletal injuries to the lower extremity remains controversial, particularly with regard to the initial order of intervention and the use of intravascular shunting. In this study, we review the contemporary management and outcome of patients treated for acute traumatic distal femoropopliteal arterial injuries.

Methods: From January 2001 to January 2006, we repaired 57 acute traumatic lower-extremity arterial injuries in a level 1 trauma center.

Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair: 12-year experience using distal aortic perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

Background: The benefit of distal aortic perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid drainage over the "clamp and sew" technique during repairs of the descending thoracic aorta is still being debated. The purpose of this report is to analyze our experience with regard to neurologic deficit (paraplegia and paraparesis) and mortality using the adjuncts of distal aortic perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

Methods: Between February 1991 and September 2004, we repaired 355 descending thoracic aortic aneurysms.