Lateral approach to the profunda femoris artery

In five cases of prosthetic conduit infection in the groin we have successfully used this lateral approach to the deep femoral artery and encountered no subsequent sepsis in the new graft. In 18 other cases of severe groin scarring, this approach facilitated dissection and permitted limb revascularization using the profunda femoris artery as either an inflow source or an outflow tract. We therefore recommend this technique for complicated secondary vascular reconstructions in the groin, where a direct approach would be both difficult and hazardous.