Popliteal Artery Occlusion after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Won, Ye Yeon; Kim, Hyoung Won; Chung, Kyung Il

Abstract

Vascular injury is a serious but rare complication of hip procedures. Most of vascular complications reported in articles occured in vessels around hip joint and femoral artery. To date, report of popliteal artery occlusion during or after total hip arthroplasty was absent. The authors have experienced one case of popliteal artery occlusion after total hip arthroplasty. It was suspected that the cause of occlusion of this particular case was a excessive maneuvering of limb during operation and then, artheromatous plaque fracture or thrombosis made occulusion in popliteal artery. Angiographic embolectomy using a catheter was performed and circulation of limb was recovered. To reduce the risk of vascular complications after total hip arthroplasty procedure, we recommend a thorough evaluation of lower extremity circulation in risky patient. And if a vascular insult is suspected either during or soon after the procedure, then a vascular consultation with arteriography including popliteal artery should be obtained urgently. Delay in treatment could result in a deleterious outcome.