Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysms at the Tikur Ambessa hospital, Addis Ababa

Abstract

During the years 1992-1996 11 cases of arteriovenous fistula or aneurysm were reported in the Department of Surgery at Tikur Anbessa Hospital (TAH). Ten of  these cases will be presented. Eight of the cases were operated upon in 1996. The mean age of the patients was 32 years (range 17-49). Nine were men. The aneurysms were located in the lower extremities in eight patients, and in the upper extremities in two. Eight of the injuries leading to aneurysms involved military personnel and there were two civilians. The mean time of operation after injury was 48.9 months (range 2-72 months). Of these, five were false aneurysms and five were arteriovenous fistulas. In all cases restoration of arterial and venous flow after excision was successful. All these cases have been followed for a minimum of four months after surgery (range 4-31 months). Results were considered excellent in one patient and good in nine.