Isolated, Closed Superficial Femoral Artery Rupture without Fracture Following Blunt Trauma; A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Injury to the femoral artery usually occurs either in open penetrating injuries or in association with fractures, but is unlikely with closed blunt trauma without fracture. We reported a 24-year-old female with a right-sided closed complete rupture of the superficial femoral artery without any bone injury and contralateral femoral shaft fracture following riding a bike and hitting by a tractor over both lower limbs. The right thigh and knee were swollen and tender with absent distal pulses without any knee instability. The left lower limb was shorter with crepitus and abnormal movement in the left thigh and intact distal pulses. Radiographs showed left femoral shaft fracture and no bony injury on the right lower limb. Angiogram showed non-opacification of the right distal superficial femoral artery. Fogartisation of distal and proximal ends were done and femoral artery was reconstructed using reversed saphenous vein interposition graft. So the clinical necessity of looking routinely for any arterial injury, even in cases of blunt trauma without bony injury is of great importance.