Late vascular injury following intertrochanteric fracture reduction with sliding hip screw

J Surg Orthop Adv. 2004 Fall;13(3):170-3.

Abstract

A case involving late injuries to pelvic vessels caused by a sliding hip screw penetrating through the acetabulum has not been previously reported. We present the case of an 88-year-old man who presented with a retroperitoneal and extraperitoneal hematoma 4 months after open reduction and internal fixation of an intertrochanteric hip fracture. Surgical exploration showed a laceration of the left external iliac artery, which was repaired. However, the sliding hip screw was left in place. The patient's condition deteriorated, and he expired 2 days later. Postmortem examination revealed a laceration of the left internal iliac vein. Our calculations show that the compression screw utilized in the fixation may not have been properly engaged into the sliding screw.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Plates
  • Bone Screws / adverse effects*
  • Disease Progression
  • Equipment Failure
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / adverse effects*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / methods
  • Hematoma / etiology*
  • Hematoma / surgery
  • Hip Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Hip Fractures / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Iliac Artery / injuries*
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Reoperation
  • Risk Assessment
  • Time Factors