[Acute rupture of an aneurysm of the popliteal artery: case report]

A case of acute rupture of an atherosclerotic popliteal aneurysm is reported. The popliteal aneurysm was partially resected and revascularisation of the leg was successfully performed by implantation of an e-PTFE-prosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient remained asymptomatic two years later. The peculiarities of the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of the acute rupture of a popliteal aneurysm are reported. We think that in the management of the popliteal aneurysm a prophylactic surgical repair is the treatment of choice.