Extrinsic Femoral Artery Occlusion Following Internal Fixation of an Acetabular Fracture

Vascular injury is one of the drastic complications that can arise from internal fixation of acetabular fractures. A 29-year-old, obese man sustained multiple trauma, including a displaced transverse acetabular fracture. Extreme obesity made adequate exposure to the posterior acetabular area difficult, causing placement of a large lag screw in malposition, such that it penetrated the superior pubic ramus at a point adjacent to the superficial femoral artery. Angiography, immediately after operation, revealed extrinsic compression of this vessel. The lag screw was successfully repositioned, with immediate return of vessel patency and no sequelae. The surgical approach and anatomic landmarks for placement of posterior to anterior lag screws are reviewed in an effort to prevent this complication.