Pediatric vascular injury: experience of a level 1 trauma center

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research 2015-06, Vol.196 (1), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Allen, Casey J., MD, Straker, Richard J., BS, Tashiro, Jun, MD, MPH, Teisch, Laura F., BS, Meizoso, Jonathan P., MD, Ray, Juliet J., MD, Namias, Nicholas, MD, Sola, Juan E., MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Children; Female; Firearms; Humans; Injury patterns; Logistic Models; Male; Mortality; Outcomes; Surgery; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Vascular System Injuries - mortality; Vascular System Injuries - surgery
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2015.02.023

Abstract Background Our purpose was to analyze modern major vascular injury (MVI) patterns in pediatric trauma, interventions performed, and outcomes at a level 1 trauma center. Materials and methods From January 2000–December 2012, all pediatric admissions (≤17 y) were reviewed. Results Of 1928 pediatric admissions, 103 (5.3%) sustained MVI. This cohort was 85% male, age 15 ± 3 y, 55% black, 58% penetrating, injury severity score of 23 ± 15, with a length of stay of 8 (5) days. Firearm-related injury (47%) was the most common mechanism. Location of injuries included the extremities (50.5%), abdomen/pelvis (29.1%), and chest/neck (20.4%). Operative procedures included repair/bypass (71.4%), ligation (12.4%), amputation (10.5%), or temporary shunt (2.9%). Only three injuries (2.9%) were treated endovascularly. MVI patients had a mortality rate of 19.4%, higher than the overall pediatric trauma population of 3.5% ( P