Obturator bypass as an alternative technique for revascularization in patients with infected femoral pseudoaneurysms.

BACKGROUND Management of the infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm has remained controversial. Although common femoral artery ligation and local debridement is an acceptable approach, some patients need revascularization for the treatment of leg ischemia or intermittent claudication. In this study, we report obturator bypass as an alternative technique that has been done at Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran during a 10-year period. METHODS This was a retrospective study and the data were obtained from the patients' medical records. RESULTS Ten obturator bypasses were done on nine patients. Two cases had previous history of ligation of the femoral artery branches. One death and two forefoot amputations occurred. CONCLUSION Femoral artery ligation has been suggested as the treatment of choice for the management of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms. Among the extra-anatomic bypasses, the obturator bypass is an acceptable alternative with favorable results.