Outcomes of popliteal artery injuries in a level 1 trauma centre: a 6-year review.

Purpose: To determine modifiable and non-modifiable factors contributing to limb loss in PAI the relevance and accuracy of published scoring systems for PAI within a South African State hospital.

Methodology: Retrospective review of patients (> 18 years) with PAI, presenting to CMJAH trauma unit from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2022.

Results: Sixty-four patient records were analysed. Thirty (46.9%) had blunt trauma and thirty-four (53.1%) had penetrating trauma. Gunshot wounds (GSW) were the most common mechanism of injury (MOI). Blunt PAI had a 40% amputation rate and penetrating trauma, 33.3%. Forty-seven (73.4%) had a delay to surgery of > 6 h. The mean time to arrival at our emergency department was 478 min, and the mean time from arrival to surgery was 368 min (total delay of 838 min). The primary amputation rate was 28.6%, and 63.5% had successful limb salvage surgeries. The secondary amputation rate was 7.8%.

Conclusion: Compared to international literature, our rate of primary amputation is high (10% vs. 28.8%) and prolonged ischaemia is the likely cause. Only 17 (26.6%) patients presented before 6 h. Of the 45 patients that had an attempt at revascularisation, 7.8% had a secondary amputation. Thus, despite prolonged ischaemia, revascularisation should be attempted in patients with at least two viable compartments on fasciotomy. The MESS and POPSAVEIT scoring systems should not be relied on in patients with delayed presentations. Strengthening referral triage for suspected PAI to Level 1 Trauma centres directly will decrease the delays and likely improve the outcomes.