Femoral Artery Bypass Graft Pseudoaneurysm Rupture in a Transfemoral Amputee.

Abstract

The case of a patient with an actively bleeding pseudoaneurysm associated with remnants of a polytetrafluoroethylene femoral bypass graft in his transfemoral residual limb is described. Initial graft placement was due to peripheral arterial disease. During subsequent transfemoral amputation, remnants of the nonpatent graft were retained in the residuum. After 4 yrs of lower limb prosthesis use, a proximal anastomosis pseudoaneurysm developed (with avulsion of graft remnants). The patient presented to clinic with a 5-day history of increased left groin fullness and largely nonradiating pain (rated 10/10). He was diagnosed with a pseudoaneurysm (1.9 cm) originating from the left common femoral artery and an associated hematoma (8 cm) on computed tomography; this required emergent reoperation. This case highlights the importance surrounding the decision to leave or explant neovascularization materials, which may carry significant risk for infection or physical disruption complications in residual limbs.