Abstract

Abstract:Significant injury of the iliac arteries may occur with blunt (nonpenetrating) abdominal trauma. The majority of reported cases have been associated with pelvic fractures, and a spectrum of injury, from thrombosis to complete transection of the vessel, has occurred. The care of these injuries must be greatly individualized. Simple thrombosis in the absence of extensive pelvic fractures may be treated with immediate operation and reestablishment of vessel continuity. Injuries associated with extensive pelvic fractures or injury to a hollow viscus should be treated by observation alone or by ligation and graft interposition from a remote site because of the danger of exsanguinating hemorrhage or contamination of the arterial repair.