Background:

Delayed arterial injury after total hip arthroplasty is unusual and the consequences of this complication are serious and potentially life threatening.

Case report:

We present a case of pseudoaneurysm of the external iliac artery occurring 6 years after total hip replacement revision due to infected acetabular cup protrusion. Due to the presence of prosthetic infection, the patient was managed with urgent ligation of external iliac artery and femoro-femoral bypass. Afterwards, a Girdlestone procedure was performed. This was selected according to patient comorbidities and previous interventions. The patient recovered ambulatory function and no late complications were observed.

Conclusion:

This report suggests that a careful and long-term follow-up of patients who have undergone hip surgery should be considered, as well as patient information regarding possible late complications. Moreover, treatment decision must be made according to patient circumstances, resources available and surgical experience.

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