Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: evaluation and management of peripheral vascular injury, part II.

This is a position article from members of the Western Trauma Association (WTA). Because there are no prospective randomized trials on the evaluation and management of peripheral vascular trauma, the algorithm is based on the expert opinion of the WTA members and published observational studies. It may not be applicable at all hospitals caring for injured patients. The algorithm contains letters that correspond to lettered text that is intentionally concise. This Part II algorithm focuses on operative techniques, while the Part I algorithm (J Trauma 2011;70: 1551-1556) emphasized evaluation, diagnosis, and need for operation versus a therapeutic procedure performed in an interventional suite.