Abstract:Objective
To study the management of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm caused by heroin injection.
Methods 11 cases of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm were treated. 4 cases presented with ruptured aneurysm and were treated emergently by direct ligation of the aneurysmal artery through a femoral incision. 2 cases underwent elective operation in which the iliac artery was initially exposed through an extraperitoneal lower abdominal incision to control bleeding, and then the aneurysmal artery was ligated through a femoral incision.
Results All of the operations were successful, and no gangrene of the affected limb occurred.
Conclusions Arterial ligation for femoral artery pseudoaneurysm caused by heroin injection is simple and effective. Intraoperative observation of distal arterial backflow,measurement of arterial pressure and intraoperative arteriography can improve the safety of the operation.