2000 Volume 49 Issue 4 Pages 1071-1073
Although the arterial rupture of lower extremity is usually associated with fractures, the subcutaneous complete rupture of the artery is quite rare. This article discusses a 58-year-old man who was injured by collision against a concrete wall. On initial evaluation, he was noted to have blunt trauma of the left thigh with no fracture. Three hours after the injury, paresthesia and motor weakness were recognized in his lower leg. Angiography was therefore performed and it showed complete rupture of the femoral artery. At operation, an extensive hematoma was evacuated and femoropopliteal bypass graft was performed. Postoperative angiography showed sufficient blood flow in the grafted vein. Postoperative follow-up of the patient after 8 months showed no paresthesia or motor weakness in his left leg.
