Vascular trauma historical notes.

Abstract

This article provides a brief historical review of treatment of vascular trauma. Although methods for ligation came into use in the second century, this knowledge was lost during the Dark Ages and did not come back until the Renaissance. Many advances in vascular surgery occurred during the Balkan Wars, World War I, and World War II, although without antibiotics and blood banking, the philosophy of life over limb still ruled. Documenting and repairing both arteries and veins became more common during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Increased documentation has revealed that the current conflicts have resulted in more arterial injuries than in previous wars, likely because of improved body armor, improvised explosive device attacks, tourniquet use, and improved medical evacuation time. This brief review emphasizes the great value of mentorship and the legacy of the management of arterial and venous injuries to be passed on.

• Authors: Norman M Rich
• Journal: Perspectives in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy (Perspect Vasc Surg Endovasc Ther) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 7-12 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1521-5768 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21502112 (Publication Type: Historical Article, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• History, 16th Century
• History, 18th Century
• History, 19th Century
• History, 20th Century
• History, 21st Century
• History, Ancient
• History, Medieval
• Humans
• Military Medicine (history)
• Vascular Surgical Procedures (history)
• Vascular System Injuries (diagnosis, history, surgery)
• Warfare