Management of iatrogenic common femoral artery injuries in pediatric patients using primary vein patch angioplasty.

Background: Invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures remain the most frequent causes of pediatric vascular injuries. Ideal management, especially the indication for surgical treatment, remains controversial. This study evaluates the outcome of surgical repair for iatrogenic common femoral artery (CFA) injuries in pediatric patients using primary vein patch angioplasty. Methods: From January 1996 through February 2006, 8 patients were identified in the vascular registry of the Vienna General Hospital in Austria. A retrospective office chart review was performed on this consecutive series of patients treated for iatrogenic CFA injuries using primary vein patch angioplasty. Results: The mean age was 5.8 years (range, 0.3-10.9 years). Surgical repair was performed for 5 ischemic limbs and 3 pseudoaneurysms. Urgent repair was necessary in 5 children (62.5%). After a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 1.8-77.6 months), palpable pedal pulses were present in all patients. No aneurysmatic degeneration of vein patches occurred, and no patient sustained any additional sequelae related to the arterial reconstruction. Conclusion: Routine use of a vein patch eases CFA repair, especially in the very young.