Introduction: Vascular injuries associated with limb bone fractures are relatively uncommon.

Aim: To determine the mechanisms of injury and evaluate the outcome of combined orthopaedic and vascular injuries.

Method: A retrospective review of all patients with vascular injury associated with limb bone fractures between January 1992 and July 2006 was performed. Data collected included demographic details, clinical presentation, assessment, management and outcome.

Results: Of 22,340 fractures treated during the 14 years period 36 patients sustained a vascular injury that required surgical intervention. Of those, 18 patients (50%) had a concomitant fractures or other orthopaedic injury this group form the basis of the audit. The median age was 31.1 (range 3–80) years, and 66% were male.

Road traffic accidents accounted for 12 injuries (66%), other accidents 4(22%), iatrogenic injury 1(6%), and 1 gunshot injury (6%). Four patients had an associated nerve injury with varying severity. Skeletal fixation preceded vascular repair in most of the cases. Peroperative arterial shunting was not used in any patient. The primary vascular procedures included end-to-end anastamosis 2(11%), bypass grafting 1(6%), interposition vein grafts 8(43%), vein patch 1(6%), direct arterial repair 2(11%), ligation 2(11%), primary amputation 1(6%), reposition of normal course of artery 1(6%).

During a 17 months follow-up period, the upper and lower limb preservation rate was 100 and 89%, respectively. Nine patients (50%) were symptom free; three patients (16.6%) had a neurological deficit.

Conclusion: Vascular injury is uncommon in the orthopaedic patients. High suspicion and early intervention is essential to optimise outcome and function.