Entrapment of the external iliac vein in a both-column acetabular fracture

We present a patient with an associated both-column acetabular fracture with entrapment of the external iliac vein in the fracture. This complication was not recognized until fracture manipulation during open reduction and fixation. This case report demonstrates that an acetabular fracture can have...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of orthopaedic trauma Vol. 18; no. 9; p. 630
Main Authors Huijbregts, J E, Luitse, J S K, Goslings, J C, Eijer, H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.10.2004
Subjects
Accidental Falls
Acetabulum - diagnostic imaging
Acetabulum - injuries
Fracture Fixation, Internal
Fractures, Bone - complications
Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging
Fractures, Bone - surgery
Humans
Iliac Vein
Male
Middle Aged
Radiography
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Summary:We present a patient with an associated both-column acetabular fracture with entrapment of the external iliac vein in the fracture. This complication was not recognized until fracture manipulation during open reduction and fixation. This case report demonstrates that an acetabular fracture can have an associated vascular injury without any obvious clinical signs. This can be especially dangerous during percutaneous manipulation and fixation of these fractures as an obstruction or injury to the external iliac vein may occur and remain unrecognized. We feel that any surgeon involved in treating patients with acetabular or pelvic fractures should be aware of this potentially serious complication.
ISSN:0890-5339
DOI:10.1097/00005131-200410000-00009