We have investigated iatrogenic popliteal artery injuries (PAI) during non arthroplasty knee surgery regarding mechanism of injury, treatment and outcomes, and to identify successful strategies when injury occurs. In all, 21 iatrogenic popliteal artery injuries in 21 patients during knee surgery other than knee arthroplasty were identified from the Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc) between 1987 and 2011. Prospective registry data were supplemented with case-records, including long-term follow-up. In total, 13 patients suffered PAI during elective surgery and eight during urgent surgery such as fracture fixation or tumour resection. Nine injuries were detected intra-operatively, five within 12 to 48 hours and seven > 48 hours post-operatively (two days to 23 years). There were 19 open vascular and two endovascular surgical repairs. Two patients died within six months of surgery. One patient required amputation. Only six patients had a complete recovery of whom had the vascular injury detected at time of injury and repaired by a vascular surgeon. Patients sustaining vascular injury during elective procedures are more likely to litigate (p = 0.029). We conclude that outcomes are poorer when there is a delay of diagnosis and treatment, and that orthopaedic surgeons should develop strategies to detect PAI early and ensure rapid access to vascular surgical support. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:192–6

Popliteal artery injury (PAI) is a feared complication during knee replacement. Our aim was to investigate those injuries that occurred in association with knee replacement in terms of the type of injury, treatment and outcomes. From our national vascular registry (Swedvasc) and the Swedish Patient Insurance databases a total of 32 cases were identified. Prospective data from the registries was supplemented with case-records, including long-term follow-up. We estimated the incidence during 1998 to 2010 to be 0.017%. In our series of 32 patients with PAI occurring between 1987 and 2011, 25 (78%) were due to penetrating trauma and seven were caused by blunt trauma. The patients presented in three ways: bleeding (14), ischaemia (7) and false aneurysm formation (11), and five occurred during revision surgery. A total of 12 injuries were detected intra-operatively, eight within 24 hours (3 to 24) and 12 at more than 24 hours post-operatively (2 to 90 days). Treatment comprised open surgery in 28 patients. Patency of the vascular repair at 30 days was 97% (31 of 32, one amputation). At the time of follow-up (median 546 days, mean 677 days (24 to 1251)), 25 patients had residual symptoms. Of seven patients with a complete recovery, six had had an early diagnosis of the PAI during the procedure, and were treated by a vascular surgeon in the same hospital. PAI is a rare adverse event during knee replacement surgery. The outcome following such events is often adversely affected by diagnostic and therapeutic delay. Bleeding and false aneurysm were the most common clinical presentations. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1645–9

Total knee replacement and high tibial osteotomy are common orthopaedic operations with low complication rates. Such surgery is in close proximity to the popliteal artery (PA), the behaviour of which during flexion of the knee is poorly understood. We used Duplex ultrasonography to determine the distance of the PA from the posterior tibial surface at 0° and 90° of flexion in 100 knees. When the knee was flexed the PA was closer to the posterior tibial surface at 1 to 1.5 cm below the joint line in 24% and at 1.5 to 2 cm below the joint line in 15%. There was a high branching anterior tibal artery in 6% of knees. We provide an anatomical account to help to explain our findings by using cadaver dissections, arteriography and static MRI studies

We investigated the blood supply of the common peroneal nerve. Dissection of 19 lower limbs, including six with intra-vascular injection of latex, allowed gross and microscopic measurements to be made of the blood supply of the common peroneal nerve in the popliteal fossa. This showed that a long segment of the nerve in the vicinity of the fibular neck contained only a few intraneural vessels of fine calibre. By contrast, the tibial nerve received an abundant supply from a constant series of vessels arising directly from the popliteal and posterior tibial arteries.

The susceptibility of the common peroneal nerve to injury from a variety of causes and its lack of response to operative treatment may be explained by the tenuous nature of its intrinsic blood supply.

Total knee replacement (TKR) is an operation that can be performed with or without the use of a tourniquet. Meta-analyses of the available Level-1 studies have demonstrated that the use of a tourniquet leads to a significant reduction in blood loss. The opponents for use of a tourniquet cite development of complications such as skin bruising, neurovascular injury, and metabolic disturbance as drawbacks. Although there may certainly be reason for concern in arteriopathic patients, there is little evidence that routine use of a tourniquet during TKR results in any of the above complications. The use of a tourniquet, on the other hand, provides a bloodless field that allows the surgeon to perform the procedure with expediency and optimal visualisation. Blood conservation has gained great importance in recent years due to increased understanding of the problems associated with blood transfusion, such as increased surgical site infection (due to immunomodulation effect), increased length of hospital stay and increased cost. Based on the authors’ understanding of the available evidence, the routine use of a tourniquet during TKR is justified as good surgical practice.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B, Supple A:133–4.

Injury to the common peroneal nerve was present in 14 of 55 patients (25%) with dislocation of the knee. All underwent ligament reconstruction. The most common presenting direction of the dislocation was anterior or anteromedial with associated disruption of both cruciate ligaments and the posterolateral structures of the knee. Palsy of the common peroneal nerve was present in 14 of 34 (41%) of these patients. Complete rupture of the nerve was seen in four patients and a lesion in continuity in ten.

Three patients with lesions in continuity, but with less than 7 cm of the nerve involved, had complete recovery within six to 18 months. In the remaining seven with more extensive lesions, two regained no motor function, and one had only MRC grade-2 function. Four patients regained some weak dorsiflexion or eversion (MRC grade 3 or 4). Some sensory recovery occurred in all seven of these patients, but was incomplete. In summary, complete recovery occurred in three (21%) and partial recovery of useful motor function in four (29%). In the other seven (50%) no useful motor or sensory function returned.