[Severe vascular injuries following total hip replacement].

Severe vascular injury following total hip replacement (THR) is very rare. It has an a incidence of 0.25% and poses a serious threat to the involved limb and the patient's life. Vascular structures affected include the external iliac artery and vein, femoral artery and vein. In 721 cases of THR 3 had vascular injuries. The first case sustained the injury of the external iliac vessel which was cut by the sharp edge of bone cement while removing the displaced prosthesis. The second had laceration of the iliac vein while a pneumatic drill was used in the anterion superior acetabulum, and the third had the cut injury of the femoral artery during resection of the capsular scar tissue. The understanding of the mechanisms and location of vascular injury during THR will help surgeons in early diagnosis and treatment of the injury.