Injury to the superior gluteal artery during intramedullary fixation of an atypical subtrochanteric stress fracture - a case report

Abstract

Iatrogenic vascular injury during hip fracture surgery is a rare complication, with infrequent reports of injury during the procedure of cepahalomedullary nailing. We describe a case report of injury to the superior gluteal artery which occurred during insertion of a nail for prophylactic fixation of an incomplete femur fracture secondary to alendronate use. We describe the anatomy of the arterial branches, the postoperative course, and the management strategy and hope this will increase awareness of these rare injuries.