Profunda femoris artery injury following internal fixation with cannulated hip screws for a femoral neck fracture

Abstract

Profunda femoris artery (PFA) injury is a rare complication following fracture of the femoral neck. Here, we present a case of a patient with an injured branch of the PFA following internal fixation with cannulated hip screws for a femoral neck fracture. Computed tomography angiography revealed active bleeding from the ascending and descending branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery. We suspected that the cause of the vessel laceration was the sharp tip of the guidewire used during surgery or the closed reduction performed during surgery. The patient was successfully treated with coil embolization. With early recognition and prompt radiological intervention, this rare complication following fracture fixation surgery can be treated without the need for additional surgery.

Keywords

• Profunda femoris artery
• femoral neck fracture
• cannulated hip screw