Pseudoaneurysm leading to necrotizing fasciitis at the femoral arterial puncture site

Abstract

In this article, we present two cases of femoral pseudoaneurysm (PA) at the femoral arterial puncture site followed by necrotizing fasciitis, which is rare but can be fatal when not managed appropriately. PA was revealed by lower-extremity angiography and color-flow Doppler ultrasonography. Hematoma removal, thrombolysis, and bleeder ligation with Gelfoam were repeatedly performed by a vascular surgeon. When necrotizing fasciitis developed, aggressive surgical drainage and creation of a viable wound bed for reconstruction were mandatory. We adopted a vacuum-assisted closure device (Kinetics Concepts International) as the standard treatment for complicated, serious, infected PA of the puncture site. Excellent clinical outcomes were obtained.