False aneurysm of the superficial femoral artery following minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of a femoral shaft fracture.

We present the case of a 50-year-old man who developed a delayed progressive swelling over the medial aspect of his right thigh, six weeks following minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) of a supracondylar femur fracture. Angiography showed a false aneurysm of the superficial femoral artery, caused by progressive displacement of a butterfly fragment. Open vascular repair was performed and the sharp edge of the butterfly fragment was removed.