Combined arterial and venous intraluminal shunting in major trauma of the lower limb.

A road accident victim was admitted in shock with an injured lower limb virtually dismembered at mid-thigh level. The early use of intraluminal shunts bridging both femoral artery and vein permitted an unhurried but logical sequence of wound debridement, bone stabilisation and optimal vascular repair rendering fasciotomy unnecessary. This approach led to an uncomplicated survival of the limb with eventual return of function.