Vascular complications of detachment of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Report of 2 cases.

The authors describe two cases of proximal epiphyseal detachment of the tibia complicated by lesions of the popliteal artery. Following reduction and stabilization by Kirschner wires, vascular repair was done, in one case by the Fogarty method, and in the other by resection and substitution with a vein graft. The outcome was successful only in the second case. In the first case the vascular repair failed, with all the severe sequelae of ischaemic contractures in the ankle and foot. The need for early diagnosis of the arterial lesion is emphasized, as well as early and radical treatment (preferably by vein graft) if a good result is to be obtained. Failure results in severe and disabling contracture and stiffness of the ankle and foot.