Tibial artery injuries

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with tibial or peroneal artery injury are reported. Of these, eight underwent direct arterial repair, eight received vein graft reconstruction, and the involved artery was ligated in the remainder, with amputation required for various reasons in four. Tibial or peroneal artery injury is a relatively common problem. Successful management requires an aggressive approach to early diagnosis, which in turn requires a high index of suspicion and arteriography. Early appropriate management will prevent the serious complications of ischemia, false aneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, and fascial compartment compression. The reconstruction of injured arteries of the lower leg is usually possible and should be accorded more attention than it has received in the past.