Femoral artery laceration complicating an intertrochanteric hip fracture: a multi-disciplinary therapeutic problem

Major arterial injuries are uncommon complications of intertrochanteric hip fractures. Described is transcatheter embolization of a lacerated femoral artery complicated by a large hematoma, discovered following surgical repair of an eight day old intertrochanteric fracture. The case was complicated due to a history of aspirin usage, marked obesity, and thrombocytopenia. Interventional radiology techniques may provide an alternative to surgery in selected cases.