[Limb traumatic arteriovenous fistula: experience of 26 cases].

INTRODUCTION

Posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulas are not a rare event in military facilities during periods of armed conflicts, but are seldom seen in the civilian health care system.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: We report our approach to the management of 26 cases of posttraumatic limb arteriovenous fistulas colligated from 1996 to 2006.

RESULTS

The main cause of our posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulas is the penetrating traumatism. Arteriography was the mostly used imaging exploration. The treatment was surgical for 24 patients. One case of thrombosis was reported.

CONCLUSION

Our series of posttraumatic fistulas is characterized by a particularly high rate of penetrating trauma, in which case intervention is the rule. Our study shows that, in our experience, surgical treatment is still a safe and efficient therapeutic attitude.