Popliteal arteriovenous fistula after corrective upper tibial osteotomy

Injuries to the popliteal artery or vein are rare complications of knee arthroscopy or osteosynthesis at the distal femur or the proximal tibia. We report a case of iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula after proximal tibial osteotomy for varus deformity. A 71-year-old woman complained of pain and swelling of the foot 9 weeks after a corrective barrel-vault osteotomy of the left tibia. Angiography demonstrated an arteriovenous fistula between the popliteal vessels due to osteotomy of the tibial head. The fistula was separated and popliteal vessels closed by continuous suture and a small saphenous vein patch.