Treatment of the Low Extremity Severe Mechanical Injury with Uncompensated Ischemia (Case Report)

Relevance . Discussion of the criteria for decision making “amputation vs. preservation”, when viability of the extremity is uncertain, has been continuing. The case description . The lower extremity of a serviceman was injured by a caterpillar tractor. The severity of the damage was determined by the following conditions: open segmental fracture of the femoral diaphysis, 5 cm traction-compression damage of the popliteal artery, acute thrombosis of the popliteal and tibial arteries, sciatic nerve damage, circular detachment of the thigh skin, acute hemorrhage, II degree shock, and uncompensated lower extremity ischemia throughout 24 hours. The MESS score of the injured extremity was 8 indicating that an amputation would have been considered. Nevertheless, we choose the organ preservation solution with the revascularization of the injured limb segment. A multi-stage treatment was carried out including stabilization of bone fragments, primary reconstruction of the popliteal artery to restore the arterial blood flow in the injured extremity, reperfusion injury and myoglobinuria elimination, intensive kidney protection therapy, infection management, skin defects replacement, orthopedic surgery. As a result of the treatment, the injured limb was saved. The femur fracture healed allowing the patient to walk without assistance. Conclusion . The use of the programmed surgical treatment for severe mechanical injury of the lower extremity, an individual multi disciplinary approach, assessing the severity of systemic disorders, and timely use of extracorporeal detoxification made it possible to avoid amputation, perform organ preservation surgery, and create favorable conditions for restoring the supporting function of the lower extremity.