title: Vascular compromise after insertion of a retrograde femoral nail: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: The authors describe entrapment of the popliteal artery within fragments of an open supracondylar femur fracture after reduction and stabilization with a retrograde femoral nail. At the time of fracture fixation, the loss of pedal pulses was noted, and an exploration of the popliteal vessels was performed. The popliteal artery was easily identified and dissected free after extension of the patient's lateral thigh wound. Following thrombectomy, blood flow to the distal extremity was restored and no postoperative vascular sequelae were encountered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Laurence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D017131:Thrombectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome