A case of acute thrombotic occlusion of the popliteal artery occurring immediately after the total knee arthroplasty recanalized by ballooning alone

Abstract

Arterial complications associated with total knee arthroplasty are rare but occasionally life-threatening. Although popliteal artery injuries have been repaired by bypass surgery historically, there are potentially multiple useful methods for the restoration. In this report, we describe a case of acute thrombotic occlusion of the popliteal artery occurring immediately after total knee arthroplasty, and successfully repaired by endovascular therapy with endoluminal balloon inflation.<Learning objective: Popliteal arterial occlusion due to acute arterial injury is a rare but occasionally life-threatening complication after total knee arthroplasty. Popliteal artery injuries have been repaired by surgical bypass grafting for many years. In our case, endovascular therapy with endoluminal balloon inflation was performed to repair the arterial injury. Endovascular therapy is less invasive than surgical treatment and may be useful to salvage ischemic limbs.>