Significant differences in functional outcome between upper and lower limbs after vascular trauma of the extremities

Background: This study aimed to compare the functional results between upper (UE) and lower extremity (LE) following arterial reconstruction due to vascular trauma. Methods: Patients treated for arterial injuries with vascular reconstruction at two centres between 2005 and 2014 were assessed. The physical fitness questionnaire – Fitnessfragebogen (FFB-Mot) – was evaluated. The differences between pre- and post-traumatic values were compared statistically for UE and LE. Inability to return to the preoperative workplace or postoperative loss of at least 10% of the FFB-Mot were defined as the primary outcome events. Results: Twenty-seven patients could be re-evaluated. The primary outcome event occurred in 52% (14/27) without significant difference between UE (43%) and LE (62%) (p = 0.45). The difference between the pre- and post-traumatic FFB-Mot scores showed a significantly poorer functional outcome after LE vascular injury (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Results indicate a poorer functional outcome after vascular extremity trauma to the LE than to the UE.