Arterial injuries with lower extremity fracture.

Review of the records of 41 patients with lower extremity fractures associated with major arterial injuries disclosed that femoral artery injuries were consistently repaired with excellent results and no amputations. Diagnostic delay contributed to an 18% amputation rate following popliteal artery disruption. When arteries distal to the popliteal trifurcation were completely disrupted, a 25% rate of long-term good results was obtained.