Early Diagnosis and Repair of Popliteal Artery and Vein Injuries Occurring During Arthroscopy of the Knee: Case Reports

Injuries to the popliteal vessels during arthroscopic procedures of the knee are rare but may lead to amputation of the extremity. Early recognition and repair of such injuries is essential to avoid this complication. Two cases of patients who sustained injuries to the popliteal artery and vein during arthroscopy and were diagnosed and definitively treated within hours of the injury are reported. Both patients underwent urgent repair of the lacerated artery and vein and had good perfusion and function of the lower limb postoperatively. When the possibility of arthroscopic injury to the popliteal vessels exists, the diagnosis and treatment are straightforward. Early repair may avoid the disastrous complication of amputation of the affected leg.