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VOLUME 14 , ISSUE 2 ( May-August, 2019 ) > List of Articles

CASE SERIES

Vascular Complications during Ilizarov Fixator Surgery to the Femur. Two Case Reports with the Introduction of a Method for Determining the Safe Vascular Corridor Around the Femur

Ashraf A. Khanfour, Ayman A Khanfour

Keywords : Femur, Femoral artery, Ilizarov, Pseudoaneurysm, Safe corridor

Citation Information : Khanfour AA, Khanfour AA. Vascular Complications during Ilizarov Fixator Surgery to the Femur. Two Case Reports with the Introduction of a Method for Determining the Safe Vascular Corridor Around the Femur. 2019; 14 (2):106-110.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10080-1434

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Published Online: 25-12-2011

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2019; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: To perform an in-depth review of the safe vascular corridor around the femur in order to decrease possible vascular injury. Background: Despite regular use of half pins in the femur, there is no region entirely safe for percutaneous pin placement. Damage to a major nerve or vessel must be avoided at all costs. Vascular complications during Ilizarov fixator surgery to the femur are rare but serious. Case description: Of 306 cases of Ilizarov fixation to the femur in the period from 2002 to 2016, two cases had vascular complications. The first case developed a delayed superficial femoral artery (SFA) pseudoaneurysm and the second case sustained an early deep femoral artery (SFA) injury. Conclusion: The in-depth review of the vascular anatomy around the femur with relevance to the placement of half pins indicates that the femoral shaft segment greatest at risk to lead to a vascular injury lies between the two points: 8 and 24 cm proximal to the adductor tubercle.


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