Operative and nonoperative management of children aged 13 years or younger with arterial trauma of the extremities.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that open repair of arterial injuries in very young children often leads to less satisfactory outcomes. The aim of this study is to describe a decade's experience in the management of pediatric arterial trauma of the limbs, with an additional specific objective to evaluate the long-term outcome of arterial traumas in preschool children treated conservatively.

METHODS

Hospital charts were reviewed for all children aged < or =13 years with arterial trauma of the extremities who underwent operative or nonoperative treatment. Twenty-three children were located who had arterial traumas equally divided between the upper extremity (13) and lower extremity (10).

RESULTS

The method of treatment was either open surgical repair or medical treatment consisting of systematic heparin administration. In 11 of 12 school-aged children (>6 years; mean age, 10 years), open surgical repair was performed. In six of 11 preschool children (< or =6 years; mean, 3.2 years) medical treatment was offered. Open repair was deferred in all children <2.5 years. Autologous vein interposition grafting was the most common surgical procedure and was performed in 10 patients. There were no deaths, and 87% limb salvage (21/23) was achieved. Two patients, both in the surgical arm, underwent lower limb amputation. The long-term outcome of those treated conservatively was excellent in all but one child, in whom minor limb-length discrepancy was detected.

CONCLUSION

Surgical repair can be performed in school-aged children as in adults. Surgical treatment of arterial injuries in neonates, infants, and those children <2.5 years old might best be deferred in ischemic but nonthreatened limbs. In a nonthreatened ischemic extremity in this age group, systemic heparinization is an alternative safe method of management. Limb loss is rare if distal Doppler signals are present; but as children grow, limb shortening is a threat. In preschool children, the risks of an open surgical repair must be weighed against any potential benefits.