Successful infrainguinal revascularization with autologous vein for inadvertent stripping of superficial femoral artery: a case report

Abstract

A referral patient who had previously undergone varicose vein surgery was admitted as an emergency case. On admission, the patient complained of intolerable pain, paralysis and paresthesia of the affected limb, which was characterized by acute arterial ischemia symptoms. Color Doppler of the artery of the affected limb indicated that no blood flow signal existed in the superficial femoral artery. During exploratory operation, we found that the right superficial femoral artery instead of the great saphenous vein of the affected limb had been stripped and ligated. Therefore, the intact right great saphenous vein was taken for auto-transplantation by inverse end-to-end anastomosis to the proximal and distal residual superficial femoral artery, which resulted in gradual recovery. Except for ischemic reperfusion injury, no other post-operative complications occurred after a 10 month follow-up; however, the long-term curative effect needs further observation. Here we report our treatment experience.