MANAGEMENT OF TRAUMATIC ARTERIO-VENOUS FISTULAS IN THE LOWER LIMBS-A CASE SERIES

Traumatic arterio-venousfistulas (AVF)are most commonly seen after a penetrating trauma causing direct arterial injury and often associated with bone fractures. Gunshot injuries are an important cause for non-iatrogenic traumatic AVFs. Extremities especially the lower limbs are most commonly affected sites. Most of the fistulas are small and resolve spontaneously, however larger fistulas with significant flow diversion develop symptoms. About two third of the patientswith fistulas present early while the rest have delayed presentation. We present a case series of five cases of traumatic AVFs, and their management.