• J Fruhwirth, G Koch, G M Ivanic, F J Seibert, and N P Tesch.
• Klinische Abteilung für Gef sschirurgie, Uniersitätsklinik für Chirurgie, Graz.
• Unfallchirurg. 1997 Feb 1;100(2):119-23.

AbstractThe vascular anatomy in the acetabular region involves a certain risk of arterial and venous injuries complicating orthopaedic surgery. These complications have been grouped into four categories: lacerations, thrombosis, pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistula. In a period of 5 years, three injuries of the external iliac artery and four lesions of the femoral artery associated with total hip arthroplasty were treated surgically at the Department of Vascular Surgery of the University Hospital in Graz. In one case a concomitant lesion of the pelvic vein was observed. The incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries in total hip surgery is 0.3%. Combined injury of the external iliac artery and vein led to a life-threatening bleeding complication. The vascular lesion became manifest as acute ischaemia of the lower extremity or as an acute haemorrhage 30 min to 2 h after primary surgery. The late complication of a false aneurysm of the femoral artery occurred in one patient 3 weeks after total hip replacement. Reconstruction of the vascular lesions was performed by direct suture, except that two arterial lesions required the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular grafts. Vessels in the pelvic region are at high risk if screw fixation acetabular components are used. Perforation of the iliac artery by protruded methylmethacrylate polymer components of cement has been documented. The obturator vessels are in a vulnerable position if the acetabular floor has been broached by operative instruments or eroded by loosening of the prosthesis facilitated by osteoporosis, steroids or sepsis. Femoral vessels are endangered by Hohmann retractors that are not placed directly on bone. Though vascular injury during hip operations is rare, recognition of such complications is important as safe and satisfactory treatment can be achieved. Rapid identification and immediate surgical repair of these lacerations are essential for their management.

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