📄 Abstract
Introduction: popliteal vascular injuries constitute a surgical emergency associated with a high risk of limb ischemia and limb loss. Temporary intravascular shunts allow rapid restoration of blood flow and may be particularly useful in damage control surgery and when transfer to a higher-level trauma center is required. However, commercially available vascular shunts may not be readily accessible in resource-limited hospitals. Case Presentation: we present the case of a young male patient who sustained severe trauma to the posterior aspect of the left knee after being struck by a rock during mining activity in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The patient was admitted with significant bleeding and signs of hemodynamic compromise and was urgently taken to the operating room. Surgical exploration revealed a complex popliteal vascular injury with segmental vessel loss and extensive soft-tissue damage. Because a commercial vascular shunt was unavailable and stabilization was required before transfer, a modified Foley catheter was used as a temporary intraluminal shunt. The catheter was inserted into the proximal and distal segments of the injured vessel and secured with sutures. Following shunt placement, distal pulses were detected and hemodynamic stability improved. The patient was subsequently transferred to a higher-level center, where definitive vascular reconstruction was performed using an autologous saphenous vein graft. The limb was preserved, and the subsequent clinical course was favorable. Conclusion: the use of a Foley catheter as a temporary intraluminal shunt may represent an exceptional damage-control option for patients with severe vascular trauma treated in resource-limited settings. Although it should not be considered a substitute for vascular shunts specifically designed for this purpose, its immediate availability may help temporarily maintain limb perfusion and facilitate transfer for definitive vascular reconstruction.
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📚 How to Cite:
Bryam Esteban Coello García, Yoaris Sidney Moreno Maturana, Regiane Vita Maximiniano , IMPROVISED TEMPORARY INTRALUMINAL SHUNT USING A FOLEY CATHETER FOR THE INITIAL MANAGEMENT OF A COMPLEX POPLITEAL VASCULAR INJURY: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE , Volume 12 , Issue 8, August 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , Pages: 684 - 688 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra31314