Vascular Injuries of the Lower Extremity

Abstract

Injury to the lower extremity encompasses approximately one quarter of all modern combat injuries. These most frequently result from blast or penetrating mechanisms. Oftentimes, these injuries are devastating and involve massive destruction to nerve, vessel, bone, and soft tissue resulting in a nonviable extremity. The ability to definitively control extremity hemorrhage and rapidly restore perfusion can certainly save a life and possibly improve the chance of salvaging a viable extremity.