A case of iliac artery aneurysm arising from herniorrhaphy and its management

Abstract

Complications of herniorrhaphy are many but aneurysm of the artery whether iliac or femoral is very rare.it is still possible due to the repair of the posterior wall or any other iatrogenic condition. Unlike an aneurysm due to arteriosclerosis, the high rate of injection complicates the therapy so that normally an extra-anatomic bypass is indicated . In the absence of a bypass. adequate collaterals could be a substitute until the septic wound heals completely. This is shown in the changes of the- ankle pressure indices and the claudication distance which increases gradually after closure of the femoral artery. indicating the change in its haemodynamics. Definitive treatment can therefore be delayed for a period of at least one year in a young man till the wound heating is complete as there is a chance of collateral formation. It is known that haemorrhage. infection and recurrence are among the common complications of an inguinal hernia repair. Aneurysm of the iliac artery is to be expected. following trauma to the artery. Such a false aneurysm could originate from Posterior wall repair and can later be mistaken for a haematoma. Traumatic aneurysm of the iliac artery has not been reported in Ghana. This paper reports of an aneurysm of the right external iliac artery which was detected 4 months after a right-sided herniorrhaphy.