Femoral artery ligature for treatment of infected groin pseudoaneurysm in injected drug abusers

Abstract

Drug addiction is a major social and medical concern. Infected groin pseudoaneurysm (IGP) is the result of direct arterial needlestick injury associated with contamination of the arterial wall or peri-arterial area by the injection equipment. Femoral artery (FA) ligation with extensive debridement is an alternative to direct revascularization in an area of sepsis. In case of femoral bifurcation free of infection or in case of isolated FA below the femoral artery of thigh involvement, a simple ligation of the FA is performed. Ligation of each femoral vessel is indicated in case of extension of the infection to the femoral bifurcation. Proximal ligation is performed on the proximal part of the FA. Distal ligation is performed on the proximal part of the deep artery of thigh and the FA below the origin of the deep artery of thigh. Ligation is effective and represents an appropriate method to control hemorrhage and sepsis syndrome in IGP.