ABSTRACT
Venous disease reporting and management had lagged behind arterial disease. Spiral and panel grafts are rarely used for the management of venous injuries. The use of temporary shunts has been advocated by several civilian trauma groups for the management of critically ill patients who are deemed too ill for prolonged surgery and vascular repair. The management of traumatic venous injuries should be performed with consideration for the overall physiologic status of the patient. Venous injuries from other causes occur much less frequently, including stab wounds, blunt trauma, and shotguns. Diagnosis of injuries to major extremity venous structures may not be obvious on initial presentation. The presence of an associated long bone fracture or nerve injury should increase suspicion of a major venous injury. Recognition of injured venous structures in patients with non-life- or non-limb-threatening trauma can be more of a challenge.
