Popliteal artery injury following total knee arthroplasty due to a very rare variant of the popliteal artery: A case report of an unusual complication

Variations of the popliteal artery are uncommon but often associated with popliteal artery injuries. Thus, in cases of popliteal artery injury, popliteal artery variations should be one of the primary differential diagnoses. Due to the poor prognosis that may result in amputation or mortality, such injuries are serious complications that can lead to medical malpractice cases. This report presents a case of a 77-year-old woman with bilateral knee osteoarthritis who sustained a popliteal artery injury during total knee arthroplasty due to the highly uncommon type II-C popliteal artery variation. In light of the current literature, the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of this case of popliteal artery injury, as well as the necessary precautions, have been discussed. The terminal branching pattern of the popliteal artery is essential for surgical planning and the ability to treat accidental artery injuries. To reduce the risk of popliteal artery injury, it is important to discuss the need for preoperative arterial color Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging to reveal the branching pattern and structure (arteriosclerosis and obstruction) of the popliteal artery (arteriosclerosis and obstruction).