Recurrent Post-traumatic Morel-Lavallée Lesion of the Hip and Thigh Treated With Open Capsulectomy and Povidone-Iodine Sclerotherapy: A Case Report

TL;DR

A patient with a recurring hip and thigh injury was successfully treated with povidone-iodine injections after other methods failed.

Contribution

Povidone-iodine is proposed as an alternative treatment for recurrent Morel-Lavallée lesions when standard agents are unavailable.

Findings

Open capsulectomy failed to prevent recurrence of the lesion.

Ultrasound-guided povidone-iodine sclerotherapy reduced the lesion size after two sessions.

Povidone-iodine is suggested as a viable alternative sclerosant for MLLs.

Abstract

Morel-Lavallée lesions (MLLs) are closed internal degloving injuries that may lead to persistent post-traumatic fluid collections. We report the case of a 65-year-old male patient with a recurrent MLL over the left hip and thigh following a fall. Initial management with aspiration and corticosteroid injection was unsuccessful, and open capsulectomy also failed to prevent recurrence. Due to the unavailability of conventional sclerosing agents, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy using 10% povidone-iodine was performed. After two sessions, there was a marked reduction in the size of the lesion without complications. This case suggests that povidone-iodine may serve as a viable alternative sclerosant for recurrent MLLs when standard agents are inaccessible.

Figures