Importance of Venorrhaphy in Combined Popliteal Artery and Popliteal Vein Injury: A Case Report and Description of the Surgical Technique

TL;DR

This case report emphasizes the importance of repairing both arteries and veins in combined popliteal artery and vein injuries to avoid complications like venous hypertension.

Contribution

The paper introduces a surgical technique using an arterial interposition graft for popliteal vein repair after arterial graft thrombosis.

Findings

Venous hypertension occurred after popliteal artery repair with a synthetic graft.

Arterial interposition grafting successfully resolved venous hypertension and improved outcomes.

Combined arterial and venous injuries require simultaneous repair for optimal results.

Abstract

Popliteal vein (PV) injuries, which are less common than popliteal artery (PA) injuries, present with significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. These injuries are associated with a wide range of injuries. Early recognition and interventions provide better outcomes. Over time, the management of PV injuries has been shifted from ligation of the vessel to different forms of venous repair. We present a case of a 40-year-old female presenting with a supracondylar femur fracture with concomitant PA and PV injury. PA was repaired with a synthetic graft. However, the graft thrombosed due to venous hypertension. This was remedied with arterial graft thrombectomy and PV repair with an arterial interposition graft. This report highlights the importance of venous repair, especially in concomitant arterial and venous injuries.

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