Case Report

Stenting as an Alternative to Open Repair in Traumatic Superficial Femoral Artery Injuries

Authors: Rajaraman Durai, MS, MRCS, Constantinos Kyriakides, MD, FRCS

Abstract

Lower limb ischemia may occur when a superficial femoral artery (SFA) is injured in blunt or penetrating trauma. Surgical repair of the injured artery can be challenging and time-consuming when there is an associated fracture. Two cases of traumatic SFA injury treated with endovascular stent grafting are described.


Key Points


* Angiography is the investigation of choice in assessing the extent of arterial damage in lower limb trauma.


* Open repair of the damaged artery either primarily or with a saphenous vein graft/vein patch remains the gold standard treatment.


* Stenting of the injured superficial femoral artery could be considered an alternative to open surgery.


* Stent grafting may help reduce ischemic time by early revascularization, and allow for definitive therapy of associated bony injuries.

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