Late laceration of the superficial femoral artery by an intertrochanteric fracture fragment.

Injury to the femoral vessels is a rare complication after intertrochanteric fractures, and usually involves the profunda femoris artery. We report the case of a 79-year-old male with an intertrochanteric fracture, treated by closed antegrade intramedullary nailing, which was complicated by late injury to the superficial femoral artery 5 weeks after surgery. The injury was caused by a spike of bone from the anteriorly displaced lesser trochanter fragment. Direct suture of the injured artery was possible without subsequent complications.