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Background: Popliteal arterial injuries carry a high risk of amputation. The currently available literature from both civilian and military experiences is characterized by a wide variation of recommendations for surgical management. We questioned how these recommendations have been applied in our practice. Therefore, we aimed to identify predictors of amputation after popliteal arterial injury. Methods: We conducted an observational study of 175 patients with popliteal arterial injuries who underwent surgical treatment from 1992 to 2006 at a level I trauma center in Cali, Colombia. Information on demographic characteristics, clinical information, and surgical management was collected from clinical records. The outcome measure was amputation within 30 days following the first surgical intervention. Results: The amputation rate was 17.1%. A multivariable logistic regression model indicates that blunt mechanism (odds ratio [OR] 4.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49-15.42), signs of ischemia (OR 5.29, 95% CI 1.48-18.91), ligation of the popliteal vein of the compromised limb during surgical exploration (OR 3.83, 95% CI 1.20-12.18), and the development of arterial thrombosis (OR 56.51, 95% CI 12.36-258) were found to be independent predictors of amputation. Fractures, popliteal venous injuries, prolonged time between injury and surgery, fasciotomies, and graft arterial repair were not statistically significant predictors of amputation. Conclusions: Emphasis on the early assessment and prompt identification of signs of ischemia after popliteal arterial injury continue to be the most important factor for reducing the risk of amputation, especially in blunt trauma. Vascular trauma teams must emphasize the need for the specialized management of popliteal veins. Clinical research is needed in order to identify means of decreasing arterial thrombosis after popliteal repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives: The main objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with penile fracture in the Hospital Universitario del Valle (Cali, Colombia)., Methods: A descriptive study, reviewing all the medical records of patients diagnosed with penile fracture from January 2001 to December 2008 at Hospital Universitario del Valle (.HUV).in Cali. It took into account variables related to urological history, etiology, diagnosis, the surgical treatment and follow-up. Univariate analysis was performed with the statistical program STATA v. 10.1, Results: There were 18 cases of penile fracture with an average age of 30 years. 11 patients (.61%). had episodes related to intercourse. Patients presented swelling, pain and popping or cracking sound. The diagnosis was done by history and physical examination in 100%. Surgery was performed with a subcoronal incision in most of the patients. The right corpus cavernosum was frequently injured and corrected with absorbable suture. The patients had an average of 1.5 days of postoperative hospital stay., Conclusions: Penile fracture is an entity the diagnosis of which is straightforward and can be reliable by history and physical examination. Surgical repair is the treatment of choice preventing complications, allowing the patient to return to satisfactory sexual life.