Venous trauma

Conflict injuries often result in the division of major arteries supplying a limb.  Surgical treatment is focussed on the repair of the arterial injury with less consideration of the venous drainage. This is often a forgotten factor in limb salvage. The importance of concurrent venous repair cannot be overestimated and may be the determining factor in a successful reconstruction leading to patient survival and a functional outcome. Frequently, arterial reconstruction leads to an increase in blood loss through venous leakage and the demise of the patient. An emphasis on the repair of the venous drainage as well as the arterial supply should be a major consideration in all conflict injuries of the extremities.