Arterial Grafting through the Obturator Foramen in Secondary Hemorrhage from the Femoral Vessels

Abstract

Secondary hemorrhage from the groin is a life-threatening situation with a high risk of amputation if the limb is not revascularized after controlling the bleeding. Three cases are described in which grafting via the obturator foramen was used to achieve iliofemoral bypass in patients with secondary hemorrhage from the femoral vessels. Obturator bypass has previously mainly been used in the management of infective complications in the groin after arterial grafting procedures. The previously reported cases are reviewed with special reference to the indications for the procedure in situations unrelated to previous reconstructive vascular surgery.