Persistent sciatic artery: clinical, surgical, and angiographic aspects
G. L. McLellan and L. B. Morettin
The sciatic artery is a persistent fetal vessel that usually constitutes
the end arterial supply to the lower extremity and replaces the femoral
artery, which is usually present but hypoplastic. It is prone to vascular
disease, such as aneurysm and arteriosclerosis. The artery can be
demonstrated angiographically by transfemoral catheterization or
translumbar aortogram with peripheral studies. Bilateral aortoperipheral
studies are necessary because the anomaly is often bilateral. Surgical
therapy was carried out on ten of 18 patients. The recommended technique is
a femoropopliteal vein bypass. When an aneurysm is present, either ligation
of the aneurysm or aneurysmorrhaphy accompanied by femoral popliteal bypass
is the recommended procedure.
