Iliac vessel injury by a cement spacer: report of a case

Int Surg. 2007 Mar-Apr;92(2):78-81.

Abstract

The use of antibiotic-impregnated acrylic cement as a bone spacer between the intervals of revision hip arthroplasty for infection has been widely practiced. Vascular injuries caused by the migration of a cement spacer with subsequent erosion of the vessel wall have never been reported. A 67-year-old woman presented with tense swelling over her left lower extremity and hemarthroses of the left hip after implantation of a cement spacer for infected hip arthroplasty. Complete external compression of the external iliac vein and laceration of the iliac artery by the spacer were found. The symptoms were resolved after surgical debridement, removal of the spacer and femoral stem, and repair of the vessel. Cautious placement of a cement spacer in the acetabular fossa accompanied with poor bone stock must be emphasized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / adverse effects
  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects*
  • Bone Cements / adverse effects*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / etiology
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Hemarthrosis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Iliac Artery / injuries*
  • Iliac Vein / pathology*
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / etiology
  • Resin Cements / adverse effects

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Bone Cements
  • Resin Cements