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Superior Gluteal Artery Perforation Following Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty: A Case Report
Daanish Sheikh1, Zachary Jodoin1, Michael Rainey1
1Department of Orthopaedics, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
Introduction:
Girdlestone excision arthroplasty is a surgical procedure for managing severe hip joint pathology, involving the removal of the femoral head and neck. Despite its utility, the Girdlestone procedure carries significant risks, including vascular complications. This report highlights a previously unreported complication: Post-operative hemorrhage from the superior gluteal artery (SGA).
Case Report:
A 65-year-old female underwent this procedure after recurrent infections and instability following hip hemiarthroplasty. The patient who underwent a Girdlestone procedure experienced life-threatening hemorrhage likely due to excessive external rotation and femoral shortening during post-operative transfer. A computed tomography scan revealed active SGA extravasation, necessitating emergent embolization by interventional radiology.
Conclusion:
There are currently no reported cases of this event occurring in the literature. This case underscores the need for vigilance in post-operative monitoring for vascular complications, particularly in high-risk patients. This report emphasizes the importance of recognizing and promptly addressing vascular injuries, as well as prioritizing care-team communications, to improve patient outcomes.
