Femoral artery ligation as treatment for infected pseudo-aneurysms, secondary to drug injection.

OBJECTIVE

Parenteral drug injection can cause a wide range of vascular complications, from simple vascular irritation to severe infections, thrombosis and pseudo-aneurysm formation: These latter complications may become limb- or even life-threatening.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective descriptive study of cases admitted to the Shohada Medical Centre, between March 1990 and June 2005.

RESULTS

A total of 134 drug addicts presenting with infected femoral artery pseudo-aneurysms were treated. All patients had their femoral arteries ligated. Limbs of all 134 patients were saved.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligating the femoral artery is an effective way to treat femoral artery pseudo-aneurysm, secondary to drug abuse.