Chronic foot ulcer complicating a traumatic arteriovenous fistula

Abstract

Background: Chronic foot ulcers could be a complication of traumatic arteriovenous (A-V) fistulation. We report a rare case of chronic foot ulcer and deformity resulting from arteriovenous fistula of the anterior tibial artery.
Method: The clinical presentation and the outcome of treatment in a patient treated at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Calabar are reported. The relevant literature on this subject matter is briefly reviewed.
Result: A case of chronic foot ulcer and oedema secondary to traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the anterior tibial artery was managed by the authors at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. The diagnosis was mainly clinical as sophisticated equipment was not readily available and satisfactory healing was achieved by exploration, quadruple ligation, skin grafting and cast application.
Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis and treatment of difficult cases should warrant sophisticated equipment to make diagnosis.


Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1(1) September 2006: 68-70