Limb salvage using Viabahn stent grafts for femoral and popliteal artery disruptions following bilateral type III open femur fractures from crush injury

TL;DR

A 47-year-old man with severe leg injuries had successful limb salvage using Viabahn stent grafts instead of traditional surgery.

Contribution

Demonstrates the use of Viabahn stent grafts as a minimally invasive alternative for complex vascular trauma repair.

Findings

Viabahn stent grafts successfully restored blood flow in traumatic femoral and popliteal artery disruptions.

The patient regained motor and sensory function with sustained graft patency.

Open bypass was not feasible due to extensive venous trauma.

Abstract

This is a case of successful limb salvage using Viabahn stent grafts in a 47-year-old male with bilateral type III open femur fractures and traumatic disruption of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries following a crush injury. Both femoral arteries were treated with endovascular repair using a total of four Viabahn endoprostheses (two per side), which restored lower extremity perfusion and avoided the need for open bypass. Open bypass was not feasible due to extensive venous trauma rendering the veins unsuitable for conduit harvest; Viabahn stents provided the only viable option for limb salvage. The patient recovered distal motor and sensory function with sustained graft patency at follow-up. This case highlights the potential role of Viabahn stent grafts as a minimally invasive alternative to autologous vein grafts for vascular trauma repair in complex, high-acuity settings.

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