Significant differences in functional outcome between upper and lower limbs after vascular trauma of the extremities

GM Hohenberger; P Konstantiniuk; J Cambiaso-Daniel; AM Schwarz; R Krassnig; W Prager; TU Cohnert

doi:10.36303/SAJS.3890

Authors

GM Hohenberger State Hospital Feldbach-Fürstenfeld https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1831-9269
P Konstantiniuk Medical University of Graz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4894-6810
J Cambiaso-Daniel Medical University of Graz https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2022-352X
AM Schwarz Medical University of Graz https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4369-9133
R Krassnig AUVA Rehabilitation Clinic Tobelbad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7628-7584
W Prager State Hospital Feldbach-Fürstenfeld https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3310-3941
TU Cohnert Medical University of Graz https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7451-7588

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36303/SAJS.3890

Keywords:

vascular trauma, extremity trauma, upper limb vascular trauma, lower limb vascular trauma

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the functional results between upper (UE) and lower extremity (LE) following arterial reconstruction due to vascular trauma.

Methods: Patients treated for arterial injuries with vascular reconstruction at two centres between 2005 and 2014 were assessed. The physical fitness questionnaire – Fitnessfragebogen (FFB-Mot) – was evaluated. The differences between pre- and post- traumatic values were compared statistically for UE and LE. Inability to return to the preoperative workplace or postoperative loss of at least 10% of the FFB-Mot were defined as the primary outcome events.

Results: Twenty-seven patients could be re-evaluated. The primary outcome event occurred in 52% (14/27) without significant difference between UE (43%) and LE (62%) (p = 0.45). The difference between the pre- and post-traumatic FFB-Mot scores showed a significantly poorer functional outcome after LE vascular injury (p = 0.012).

Conclusion: Results indicate a poorer functional outcome after vascular extremity trauma to the LE than to the UE.

Author Biographies

GM Hohenberger, State Hospital Feldbach-Fürstenfeld

Department of Trauma Surgery, State Hospital Feldbach-Fürstenfeld, Austria

P Konstantiniuk, Medical University of Graz

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria

J Cambiaso-Daniel, Medical University of Graz

Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria

AM Schwarz, Medical University of Graz

AUVA-Trauma Hospital (UKH) Styria Graz, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Graz, Austria

R Krassnig, AUVA Rehabilitation Clinic Tobelbad

AUVA Rehabilitation Clinic Tobelbad, Austria

W Prager, State Hospital Feldbach-Fürstenfeld