ABSTRACT
Infected femoral artery pseudo aneurysm [IFAP] is a severe complication in parenteral drug abusers, with difficult and controversial management. Seventeen consecutive patients were admitted to our department with IFAP due to intravenous drug abuse. In all 17 patients proximal and distal ligation of common femoral artery mas performed with drainage of the abscess and excision of the pseudo aneurysm without reconstruction. The lower limb mas monitored for symptom of acute ischemia including coldness, sensory and motor impairment, as well as changes in color and capillary refilling. In all 17 patients, the affected artery was 1igated.Ligation of the common femoral or superficial femoral artery alone was performed in 13 and 4 of the cases, respectively In eight cases the pseudo aneurysm involved the distal, in six the mid, and in three the inferior border of the inguinal ligament. We did not have bifurcation involvement and need for triple ligation [common, superficial and profunda femoral artery], Patients were closely observed during and following surgery and this led to revascularization in tow patients who demonstrated symptom of acute ischemia. In one of them bypass surgery was performed 24 hours after surgery and led to amputation due to filed revascularization, and the other patient mas required revascularization 2 months after ligation of common and moral artery because of severe intermittent claudication of affected limb. In the setting of complex infected femoral pseudo aneurysms in patients prone to substance abuse, our work demonstrates that ligation and excision of IFAP without reconstruction may be the preferred option