Vascular injuries after total joint arthroplasty.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-1-2008
Abstract
Vascular injuries, although highly feared, can occur after total joint arthroplasty, often resulting in legal suits. This study evaluates the circumstances related to vascular injuries after joint arthroplasty. Using prospectively collected data on 13,517 patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty at our institution, 16 (0.1%) vascular injuries were identified. Eleven injuries occurred after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 5 after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Indirect injury was the most common mechanism in TKA. In contrast, direct injury was most prevalent in THA. One patient died of complications related to vascular injury. Of 16 patients, 8 (50%) had launched a legal suit against the operating surgeon. There appears to be no further specific measure that can be taken to absolutely avoid this complication. Patient awareness regarding this real problem may play a role in defraying the high likelihood of legal suits associated with this complication.
Volume
23
Issue
8
First Page
1115
Last Page
1121
ISSN
1532-8406
Published In/Presented At
Parvizi, J., Pulido, L., Slenker, N., Macgibeny, M., Purtill, J. J., & Rothman, R. H. (2008). Vascular injuries after total joint arthroplasty. The Journal of arthroplasty, 23(8), 1115–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2008.02.016
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
18676115
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article