A gliding space between the femoral artery and inguinal ligament: mechanism of formation of false aneurysm.

False aneurysms preferentially arise in the inguinal region subsequent to aorto-femoral bypass. This finding suggests that the position of the inguinal ligament against the anterior surface of the prosthesis may be an etiological factor. Description of the inguinal region, forming a borderline between the trunk and thigh and specific to the erect posture, has been the subject of many anatomical studies. These papers describe mainly the relations between the vascular sheath of the femoral artery, the fascia transversalis and inguinal ligament. Based on a series of anatomical dissections we have found a gliding space between the femoral artery and inguinal ligament. This finding has led us to propose section of the fibrous portion of the inguinal ligament and the insertion of free omentum between the arch of the ligament and prosthesis in order to prevent false aneurysm. Preliminary results obtained with this technique are satisfactory.