Management options in the treatment of femoral pseudoaneurysms secondary to intravenous drug abuse: A case series

Abstract

HighlightsInfected femoral pseudoaneurysms are a common presentation in intravenous drug users with little consensus as to their optimum management.Excision and ligation of the femoral artery without revascularisation is the most common operative intervention.With the identification and optimisation of suitable patients, revascularisation can be performed in the emergency setting.Current endovascular approaches appear to be used only as a bridge to a future definitive revascularisation procedure.Ligation of the common femoral artery without revascularisation is both safe and effective as most patients will avoid critical ischaemia.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Causing Complete Femoral Vessels Necrosis and Thrombosis in an Intravenous Drug Abuser: A Case Report

“…The consequences of such a procedure are varied in the literature, as some reported only claudication in 35% of cases, while others reported major amputation in up to 25% [7]. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy have been recommended and utilized post-necrosectomy along with adequate bleeding control in the hospital setting, but are precluded in certain situations due to lack of outpatient followup with some patients [8].…”

“…Finding a suitable vessel is difficult and was reported in only 25% of patients as most will have a co-existing deep vein thromboses (DVTs). When the graft is implanted within the infected tissue planes, reinfection occurs in more than 50% of cases [3,8]. With the use of extra-anatomical bypass, this rate goes down to 7%.…”