Vascular Injury in Total Hip Replacement: Management and Prevention

This chapter analyzed the vascular complications in total hip replacement. Vascular injuries are the uncommon but well recognized and serious issue. During total hip replacement, lac-eration of major blood vessels has been reported which even cause morbidity and mortal- ity. The injury to vascular structures occurs due to the placement of screws to fix acetabular components, structural grafts, and protrusio cages or rings. Massive hemorrhage resulting in immediate exsanguination may be caused due to the damage of any of these vessels by processes such as drilling, reaming, retraction, or dissection. The majority of these vascular injuries might be better prevented or even more proficiently treated by comprehensive pre operative assessment, better instrumentation, and careful postoperative monitoring.