AbstractIn our surgical clinic, from January 1, 1978, to May 15, 1982, a total of 41 patients with polytrauma exhibited 45 concomitant vascular injuries requiring operation. This group of patients represents 10% of the 407 multiple trauma patients treated during this period. The incidence of vascular lesions of shoulder, neck, and upper extremities was 2.7% (n=11); lower extremities, 4.7% (n=19); within the abdominal cavity, 1% (n=4); and of acute thoracic aortic rupture, 2.7% (n=11). Seven patients (17%) died: 4 from additional brain trauma, 3 from hemorrhage by aortic ruptures. There were 6 major amputations (2 primary, 4 secondary) and 2 borderline amputations. In the remaining 26 patients, a good result following vascular repair was achieved. Angiologic examination, including computed tomography and angiography, is of great importance. Vascular repair deserves high priority since bleeding and/or ischemia threatens the patient's limbs, organs, or even life. This is especially true for the acute thoracic aortic rupture as a typical vascular injury in polytrauma. The incidence of peripheral vascular injuries in polytrauma is twice as high (7.3%) as in isolated extremity fractures (3.6%).