Methods: Forty-one patients who underwent surgery for vascular injury at the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the Diyarbakır Military Hospital between January 2002 and May 2008 were included in this study. The patients were retrospectively evaluated in terms of causes of injury, characteristics, the procedures performed and the outcomes.

Results: The causes of injuries were gunshot injuries in 22 patients (54%), stab wounds in 12 patients (29%), mine injuries in six patients (15%) and electric shock in one (2%) patient. The injuries were in the upper extremities in 19 patients (63.3%) and in the lower extremities in 11 patients (36.6%). The surgical methods performed were interposition in 11 arterial and six venous injuries, ligation in five arterial and nine venous injuries and repair in 10 arterial and five venous injuries. Postoperative amputation was required in none of the cases (0%) and one patient died (2.3%). Nineteen patients were transferred to next-level care center by airplane ambulance due to additional injuries and requirement for rehabilitation. No referral was required for vascular injuries or their complications.

Conclusion: In peripheral vascular injuries, the mechanism and the site of injury, presence of additional lesions and early surgical intervention are the most important factors determining mortality and morbidity. According to our findings, no patients with isolated vascular injuries required to be transferred to the next-level care center. However, it should be kept in mind that the patients with additional problems or rehabilitation needs after the initial intervention may require transfer to the next-level care center.