Iatrogenic vascular injury during retrograde intramedullary nailing of a distal femur fracture: a case report
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: We report a case of iatrogenic injury to the lateral circumflex femoral artery following distal femoral nailing in a 72-year-old patient. Postoperatively, progressive thigh swelling developed, but initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed no evidence of vascular injury. The arterial injury was subsequently identified on a follow-up contrast-enhanced CT scan and was successfully treated with angiographic microcoil embolization. This case underscores the critical importance of meticulous awareness of the trajectories of the lateral circumflex and deep femoral arteries during proximal interlocking screw insertion. It also highlights that early postoperative imaging can fail to detect such vascular complications. Therefore, a high index of clinical suspicion is paramount, and repeated imaging should be strongly considered if clinical signs, such as progressive swelling, persist despite initial negative findings.
Source: Journal of Trauma and Injury
Authors: Jeong Seok Choi, JunHyeok Kwon, Yun Ki Ryu, Wonseok Choi, Seonghyun Kang, Jong-Keon Oh, Jae-Woo Cho
Institutions: Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7117785987