External fixation and vascular damage: report of a case.
The case history is presented of a patient in whom the anterior tibial artery was clearly perforated by the distal pin of an external fixation device. This necessitated a dorsal pedis free flap instead of transposition of the flap to cover a degloved heel and sole. Review of the literature showed only a few case reports on vascular damage, suggesting that this complication is uncommon. In most cases, secondary erosion seems to be the cause, but as noticed by us direct arterial and/or venous damage is possible.
Schuurman
A H
AH
Department of Surgery, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Broekhuizen
A H
AH
Bos
K E
KE
D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries*; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*