Migration of a bifurcated endovascular graft into an iliac aneurysm: endovascular salvage and future prevention--a case report

The FDA approval of endovascular grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been associated with a dramatic increase in the use of these devices. Major referral centers are reporting the treatment of 75% to 80% of their patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms with endovascular devices. The large quantity of endovascular devices being used has produced a growing number of management issues that are often not predictable during the preoperative assessment. These issues require complex intraoperative decision making and innovative techniques for their management as reflected by the subsequent case report. An 82-year-old patient presented with a 7.8-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aneurysm extended into the common iliac arteries bilaterally. The right common iliac artery was 6.5 cm and the left common iliac artery was 2.0 cm in maximal diameter. The preoperative work-up, including a computed tomography scan and arteriogram, suggested that he would be a potential candidate for endovascular repair. The plan was to extend the graft into the right external iliac artery after embolization of the right hypogastric artery and to seal the left limb in the ectatic left common iliac artery using an aortic extender cuff. During the endovascular repair of the aortoiliac aneurysms using the AneuRx bifurcated graft, the main device became dislodged from its infrarenal attachment site and migrated into the large right common iliac artery aneurysm with the iliac limb ending in the distal external iliac artery. A new bifurcated device was deployed from the left side to attempt an endovascular salvage of the difficult situation. The new graft was partially deployed down to the iliac limb. This allowed cannulation of the contralateral stump through the original endovascular graft that had migrated distally. The two grafts were connected with a long iliac limb. This allowed stabilization of the endovascular reconstruction by increasing its columnar strength. The deployment of the second bifurcated graft was completed and the central core with the runners removed safely without migration of the second bifurcated component. The reconstruction was completed with an aortic cuff in the left common iliac artery. The use of the aortic cuff was useful to preserve the left hypogastric artery. No intraoperative endoleak was noted. The patient did well and was discharged the day following the procedure. The follow-up computed tomography scan shows the abdominal aortic aneurysm excluded by the endovascular graft with a defunctionalized portion of one bifurcated graft within the right common iliac aneurysm. There is no evidence of endoleak and the abdominal aortic aneurysm had decreased in size at 6 months. This case demonstrates one of the unique management problems that may arise during endovascular graft placement. Events that initially would suggest failure of the endoluminal treatment may be corrected using advanced endovascular techniques by an experienced surgeon. However, there will be times that the prudent decision will be conversion to open repair. Only good clinical judgement and adequate training will prevent catastrophic outcomes.     

Stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair]

Stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair uses three types of stent graft: the aorto-aortic straight type; aorto-uniiliac tapered type; and aorto-biiliac bifurcated type. Stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is performed in the operating room under X-ray fluoroscopy with digital subtraction angiography. Intraoperative angiography marks the bilateral renal arteries, bifurcation of the terminal aorta, and the bilateral internal and external iliac arteries. An X-ray fluoroscope is fixed until the completion of all procedures. The pull-through technique, in which a guidewire extends from the brachial artery to the external iliac artery, yields a 100% deployment success rate, and safety and reliability for the second graft deployment or balloon dilatation of the stent graft. The guidewire is removed after all procedures have been completed.     

Surgical treatment of fusiform thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with Marfan's syndrome. A report on reconstruction of 4 major abdominal visceral branches

A fusiform thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm involving celiac, superior mesenteric and renal arteries was successfully replaced in a 53-year-old female with Marfan's syndrome who also had annuloaortic ectasia, dissecting aneurysm of descending aorta and bilateral subclavian arterial aneurysms. Exposure of the aneurysm was obtained with a thoracoabdominal incision by reflecting the abdominal viscera to the right. First the limbs of a 24 X 12mm dacron bifurcated prosthesis were attached to common iliac arteries in an end-to-side fashion. Then renal arteries were anastomosed end-to-end to the branches previously attached to the body of the prosthesis. With the temporary bypass from left subclavian to left limb of the dacron graft, reconstruction of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries was performed by direct suture of orifices to the opening made in the graft. Proximal anastomosis between descending aorta and the graft was made in an end-to-end fashion. The dissecting lesion of the proximal descending aorta was wrapped by dacron mesh. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful except transient hepatitis and pneumonia. The patient was discharged 49 days after operation. One month later, however, she died suddenly. Autopsy could not reveal the exact cause of death. Retrograde revascularization combined with Crawford's method was useful in shortening the occlusion time.     

External iliac artery-to-internal iliac artery endograft: a novel approach to preserve pelvic inflow in aortoiliac stent grafting.

PURPOSE: To describe four patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms repaired by coil embolization of the ipsilateral internal iliac artery, aortouniiliac endograft extended to the ipsilateral external iliac artery, femorofemoral bypass grafting, and a contralateral external iliac to internal iliac stent graft to preserve pelvic perfusion. METHODS: Four patients with multiple risk factors, abdominal aortic aneurysm (mean diameter, 6.6 cm), and bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms were evaluated with contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning, arteriography, and intravascular ultrasonography. Aortobiiliac endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair was not feasible because of extension of the common iliac artery aneurysms to the iliac bifurcation bilaterally. RESULTS: The abdominal aortic aneurysms were repaired with an aortouniiliac endograft. The ipsilateral common iliac artery aneurysms were treated by coil embolization of the internal iliac artery and extension of the endograft to the external iliac artery. The contralateral common iliac artery aneurysms were excluded by a custom-made stent graft (n = 2) or a commercial stent graft (n = 2) from the external iliac artery to the internal iliac artery, which preserved pelvic inflow via retrograde perfusion from the femorofemoral bypass. Mean length of stay was 3.5 days. One patient had hip claudication. Follow-up (mean 10 months, range 6 to 17) demonstrated exclusion of the abdominal aortic aneurysm and common iliac artery aneurysms with no endoleak and patent external iliac artery-to-internal iliac artery endografts in all patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms that extend to the iliac bifurcation may be excluded from endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair because of concerns regarding pelvic ischemia after occlusion of both internal iliac arteries. External iliac artery-to-internal iliac artery endografting is a feasible alternative to maintain pelvic perfusion and still allow endograft repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm in these patients.     

Clinical implications of internal iliac artery embolization in endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms

To overcome constraints imposed by iliac artery anatomy, the anatomic inclusion criteria for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair can be extended by means of intentional coil occlusion of one or both internal iliac arteries and extension of the distal limb of the graft into an external iliac artery. We reviewed our experience with this intervention to determine the safety and efficacy of this approach to aneurysm repair. Over a 30-month period, 84 patients underwent endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair; 23 underwent intentional unilateral (22) or bilateral (1) internal iliac artery occlusion. Morbidity, mortality, and long-term clinical outcomes were evaluated in these 23 patients. Patients were specifically questioned about exercise-induced buttock and extremity symptoms. Our results showed that intentional internal iliac artery embolization to allow endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms is accompanied by significant morbidity and should be approached with caution.     

A novel hybrid approach to the treatment of common iliac aneurysms: antegrade endovascular hypogastric stent grafting and femorofemoral bypass grafting

A progressively enlarging left common iliac artery aneurysm developed in a 72-year-old man 7 years after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with a bifurcated Dacron graft. Because both the right hypogastric and inferior mesenteric arteries had been ligated at the initial operation, preservation of left hypogastric flow was critical to avoid pelvic or intestinal ischemia. He was a poor open surgical candidate owing to obesity, a hostile abdomen, and multiple medical comorbidities. Therefore, a novel hybrid approach was used consisting of left transbrachial selective left hypogastric artery catheterization, followed by deployment of two, overlapping, antegrade, covered stent grafts extending from the proximal left graft limb into the left hypogastric artery. A right-to-left femorofemoral crossover bypass was added to perfuse the left lower extremity and was performed in end-to-end fashion to the left common femoral artery to exclude and prevent retrograde flow into the iliac aneurysm. Also presented are potential procedural pitfalls and a detailed review of open, endovascular and hybrid options to preserve hypogastric flow when treating iliac aneurysms in complex, high-risk patients.     

Intra-operative monitoring of the pelvic circulation using a transanal Doppler probe

The authors have developed a new device to examine the pre-, intra-, and postoperative pelvic blood flow, consisting of a plastic rectoscope with a commercially available 10 MHz flat Doppler probe mounted at the tip surrounded in use by a thin, acoustic gel filled condom and inserted transanally. Blood flow in the superior rectal artery can easily be detected in this way through the posterior wall of the rectum. The authors have used this technique in 70 patients, 49 undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy and 21 aorto-femoral bypass surgery. In all cases following clamping of the infrarenal aorta a synthetic bifurcated graft was anastomosed usually to the aorta using an end-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis. Immediately after application of the aortic clamp the Doppler recorder was started in order to determine the time when rectal blood flow reappeared. In the superior mesenteric artery dominant group, a good pulse wave was seen within 15 min of clamping and 88% of the aneurysm and 62% of the aorto-iliac patients fell into this group. Fourteen patients in this group underwent triple vessel ligation (bilateral internal iliac and inferior mesenteric arteries) without any postoperative colonic ischaemia. In an additional study consisting of eight patients with vasculogenic impotence and/or hip claudication, the effectiveness of surgery was assessed by the increase in amplitude of the Doppler signals following reconstruction of the internal iliac artery. Following successful internal iliac reconstruction, an improvement in the amplitude of the waveform could be observed and followed postoperatively. In conclusion, the transanal Doppler probe can be used to follow the adequacy of the pelvic circulation allowing safer aorto-iliac and aorto-femoral surgery.     

An ex-situ arterial reconstruction for the treatment of an infected suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral vessels

A 66-year-old man, who had complaints of back pain, high fever, and constipation, with a suprarenal infected abdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral vessels, was successfully treated by an ex situ arterial reconstruction. Blood culture revealed bacteroides melaninogenicus. After establishing a temporary bypass from right axillary to right external iliac artery, both renal arteries--superior mesenteric artery and common hepatic artery--were preliminary bypassed from external iliac arteries. Then aortic trunk reconstruction was performed with the body twisting left side to separate the graft from the infected field. The patient had good recovery and no evidence of recurrent infection 31 months after the operation.     

Successful resection of an aortic arch aneurysm using a temporary trifurcation bypass graft

Resection of a syphilitic aortic arch aneurysm in a 62-yearold woman was accomplished using a trifurcation temporary bypass system. The bifurcation graft was sutured end-to-side to the ascending thoracic aorta, to the brachiocephalic trunk and to the left common carotid artery, respectively. The attached third limb end was anastomosed end-to-side to the infrarenal abdominal aorta. This technique enabled a larger shunt into the abdominal aorta. Occlusion of the iliac arteries proved to be effective in coping with hypotension while attending to the bypass and the volume replacement. The post-operative recovery was uneventful and the patient has remained well after 43 months.     

Reconstruction of radicular arteries in the total replacement of thoracoabdominal aorta

A technique of reconstructing low intercostal, high lumbar arteries and Adamkiewicz artery is described to prevent paraplegia following operations on the thoracoabdominal aorta. A graft with a side branch is anastomosed proximally and a side branch to the distal thoracic aorta after reinforcement of the stumps under the partial bypass. Applying a clamp on the main graft, flow through the side branch and true lumen of the aneurysm is reestablished and bypass is terminated. The main graft, extended with a Y-graft, is anastomosed to common iliac arteries after proximal suture-ligation to perfuse the lower extremities. Splanchnic arteries are reconstructed according to DeBakey's technique which is followed by trimming of the thoracoabdominal aorta incising longitudinally with a clamp applied on the 1st side branch. Edges of the trimmed aneurysm are sutured to the slit of the graft from the right common iliac artery reconstructing intercostal, lumbar arteries and Adamkiewicz artery from the level of L2 upwards to T4 or more. As a final step, the graft is sutured to the 1st side branch allowing perfusion distally to the right lower extremity and the main graft to the splanchnic arteries and left lower extremity after division of a Y-graft right branch. The technique minimizes ischemic time for reconstruction of the aortic branches and enables complete reconstruction of the radicular arteries.     

内脏动脉重建联合主动脉腔内修复杂交手术经验总结

目的总结内脏动脉重建联合主动脉腔内修复杂交手术经验。方法12例杂交手术一期或二期完成。内脏动脉重建术中制作多分支人工血管。人工血管主体与腹主动脉或髂动脉吻合,远端各分支与双侧肾动脉、肠系膜上动脉、腹腔干及其分支分别吻合。前期部分肾动脉的处理采用自体肾移植,后期完全采取人工血管旁路方案。出院后CT血管造影（CTA）随访各内脏动脉吻合口是否通畅。结果12例内脏动脉重建术,重建腹腔干及其分支共11支,肠系膜上动脉12支,肾动脉共18支（包括自体肾移植5支）。内脏动脉人工血管吻合方式,前期采用端侧吻合,后期优先采用端端吻合。3例发生腹膜后出血。2例自体肾移植发生肾积水、尿漏。1例内脏动脉重建术后因胸腹主动脉瘤破裂死亡。1例发生急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）后继发心功能衰竭死亡。内脏动脉重建术相关围手术期死亡率为9．1％（1／11）。无一例发生截瘫。术后CTA随访7例,重建内脏动脉共23支全部通畅。结论杂交手术治疗累及内脏动脉的主动脉扩张性病变有效可行。手术方案的演变表明合理的内脏动脉解剖入路、人工血管旁路设计和吻合方式是手术成功的关键因素。     

The Perth endoluminal bifurcated graft system - development and early experience

The study aim was to develop a reliable endoluminal graft system that would enable the deployment of a bifurcated graft for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. A life-size plastic model was made of an abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, with a 50-mm infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. This model was used to develop and test self-expanding graft systems, based on a barbed Gianturco stent and series of stainless-steel ‘Z’ stents within a woven Dacron graft. The bifurcated system developed involves a trouser graft with one long leg and one short. This graft system is delivered through one femoral artery with deployment of the proximal aortic end infrarenally and the longer trouser leg within the ipsilateral common iliac artery. The short trouser leg is left hanging free within the distal end of the aneurysm cavity, just above the bifurcation. It is held open by a self-expanding stent and is cannulated from the contralateral femoral artery with a guide wire. A simple straight self-expanding stented graft is then deployed to extend this short trouser leg down into the common iliac artery, effectively creating an extension to the short leg. The graft system has been deployed in 21 patients with satisfactory exclusion of the aneurysm in 17 (81%). There has been one mortality and no conversion to open repair. All 17 aneurysms remain excluded at median follow-up of 30 (range 4–60) weeks. None of the four graft stents that leaked (two proximal and two distal) sealed spontaneously. Deployment of the uncovered Gianturco stent across the renal artery origins in 18 cases (85%) has not been associated with renal artery occlusion or deterioration in renal function at a median follow-up of 30 (range 4–60) weeks. The ability to deploy a bifurcated system increases the potential for endoluminal treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Copyright © 1996 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery.     

Staged reconstruction for middle aortic syndrome

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Middle aortic syndrome is a rare condition that involves narrowing of the abdominal aorta and its visceral branches. The authors propose staged vascular repair to minimize renal ischemia and facilitate use of native arterial tissue for reconstruction. METHODS: Three adolescents (age 8(1/2), 12(1/2), 13(1/2)) presented with severe hypertension. Subsequent evaluation showed coarctation of the abdominal aorta extending above the celiac axis. All 3 patients had bilateral renal artery stenoses. There also were tight stenoses of the celiac or superior mesenteric arteries. In the first stage the right renal artery stenosis was relieved. In the youngest patient, this was accomplished by balloon angioplasty. However, in the other 2, right renal autotransplantation was performed to the right iliac vessels using end-to-side anastomoses of the renal artery and vein. Cold perfusion was used. The second stage was performed 2 to 5 months later via a thoracoabdominal approach in 2 patients. A Dacron tube graft was utilized from above the coarctation to the iliac bifurcation. The left renal arteries were detached and anastomosed end to side to the bypass graft. In 1 child there were actually 3 separate renal arteries that required reimplantation. In the youngest patient the aortic narrowing was relieved by a long Dacron patch aortoplasty and interposition of an internal iliac artery graft to the left renal artery. RESULTS: All 3 patients recovered well and returned to full activities. There was no measurable rise of BUN or serum creatinine postoperatively. Postoperative renal scans showed good renal perfusion bilaterally. Follow-up results 2 to 10 years later continue to show well functioning reconstructions. CONCLUSION: A staged approach is an effective reconstruction for children with middle aortic syndrome which minimizes risk to renal function.     

Hybrid repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient with poliomyelitis-related deformities

A 63-year-old man presented with an asymptomatic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. He had scoliosis and atrophic right leg change as sequelae of poliomyelitis. The patient was not a candidate for endovascular aneurysm repair because of anatomic unsuitability. An open surgical repair was performed by the retroperitoneal approach because of severe scoliosis and left lateral aneurysm deviation. To minimize contralateral exposure, the Viabahn stent graft (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) was inserted in the right external iliac artery and anastomosed with the right expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft limb. I report the successful hybrid repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm using the modified Viabahn open revascularization technique.     

Internal iliac artery revascularization as an adjunct to endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms may be limited by extension of the aneurysm to the iliac bifurcation, necessitating endpoint implantation in the external iliac artery. In such cases the circulation to the internal iliac artery is interrupted. Bilateral internal iliac artery occlusion during endovascular repair may be associated with significant morbidity, including gluteal claudication, erectile dysfunction, and ischemia of the sigmoid colon and perineum. We have employed internal iliac artery revascularization (IIR) to allow endograft implantation in the external iliac artery while preserving flow to the internal iliac artery in patients with aneurysms involving the iliac bifurcation bilaterally. METHODS: A total of 11 IIR procedures were performed in 10 patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (9 men, 1 woman; mean age, 74 years). IIR was accomplished via a retroinguinal incision in 9 cases and a retroperitoneal incision in 2 cases. Six-mm polyester grafts were used for external-to-internal iliac artery bypass in 10 cases and internal iliac artery transposition onto the external iliac artery was used in one case. Endovascular AAA repair was performed using a modular bifurcated device (Talent-LPS, Medtronics, Minneapolis, Minn) after IIR. Bypass graft patency was determined immediately after the surgery, at 1 month, and every 3 months thereafter, using duplex ultrasound scanning and computed-tomography angiography. Mean aneurysm diameters were as follows: AAA, 6.4 +/- 0.7 cm; ipsilateral common iliac, 3.7 +/- 1.0 cm; contralateral common iliac, 3.9 +/- 0.8 cm. RESULTS: Successful IIR and endovascular AAA repair were accomplished in all cases. No proximal, distal, or graft junction endoleaks occurred. Two patients demonstrated retrograde aneurysm side-branch endoleaks originating from the lumbar arteries. One thrombosed spontaneously within 3 months. One perioperative myocardial infarction occurred. Reduction in aneurysm size was documented in 5 aortic, 5 ipsilateral iliac, and 3 contralateral iliac aneurysms. Gluteal claudication, erectile dysfunction, colon and perineal ischemia, and mortality did not occur. All IIRs have remained patent during a follow-up period of 4 to 15 months (mean, 10.1 months). CONCLUSIONS: IIR may be used with good short-term to intermediate-term patency to prevent pelvic ischemia in patients whose aneurysm anatomy requires extension of the endograft into the external iliac artery. This may allow endovascular AAA repair to be performed in patients who might otherwise be at risk for developing complications associated with bilateral internal iliac artery occlusion.     

应用一体式分叉支架型人工血管腔内治疗腹主动脉瘤42例

目的总结应用一体式分又支架型人工血管治疗腹主动脉瘤初步经验。方法本组42例，其中腹主动脉瘤39例，腹主动脉假性动脉瘤1例，Ⅲ型夹层动脉瘤1例，降主动脉瘤合并腹主动脉瘤1例。除均在腹主动脉放置一体式分又支架型人工血管外，1例降主动脉瘤合并腹主动脉瘤者共放置5枚支架型人工血管，其中4枚直型支架用于隔绝降主动脉瘤；1例Ⅲ型夹层动脉瘤者，降主动脉近侧破口用直型支架型人工血管封堵；1例因一侧髂外动脉闭塞需先经腹膜外切口行人工血管搭桥后才能放置一体式分叉支架。结果平均手术时间50min。1例死亡，8例附加近侧短的覆膜支架，1例附加远侧Cuff，1例近侧和远侧均加Cuff。8例术后有少量内漏，1周后内漏均消失。5例封堵了双侧髂内动脉，20例封堵了单侧髂内动脉，但均未导致臀肌坏死或疼痛等并发症。2例瘤颈与瘤体呈90度角也获得成功。结论一体式分又支架型人工血管可以达到隔绝腹主动脉瘤的作用，且操作更快捷。     

Laparoskopische Aortenchirurgie

The following article describes our technique and results with total laparoscopic aortic aneurysm repair. A distinction must be made between laparoscopic-assisted procedures requiring a mini-incision to perform an anastomosis and total laparoscopic operations where the whole procedure is performed laparoscopically. In addition to aorto-femoral or ileo-femoral bypass procedures, total laparoscopic techniques can be used to perform abdominal aortic aneurysm resections. A transperitoneal left retrorenal access is preferred in most cases. Special laparoscopic clamps, often in combination with balloon catheters are used to occlude the aorta and if necessary the renal arteries. Exactly the same techniques as used in open surgery are transferred to a laparoscopic setting. Either a tube graft repair or a bifurcated graft anastomosed with the iliac bifurcation or the femoral artery is performed to exclude the aneurysm. Laparoscopic techniques can also be used to treat patients with type II endoleakage after EVAR or cases with endotension. Lumbar arteries or the IMA are clipped and if necessary downsizing of the aneurysm can be accomplished by opening the sac of the AAA, evacuating the thrombus material and stitching lumbar arteries from the inside. More recently laparoscopic techniques have been used to reduce the access trauma in debranching procedures. The learning curve of total laparoscopic aortic procedures is still steep, but new instruments, staplers or robotic devices will probably shorten this learning curve in the future. In an increasing number of European countries laparoscopic aortic surgery is becoming a third way to perform aortic repair. In contrast to EVAR it can offer to aneurysm patients the same definitive outcome and long lasting results as open surgery.     

Open stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient with a severely calcified abdominal aorta

We describe a 74-year-old male who underwent open stent repair for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a severely calcified aortic neck. The stent graft was constructed by covering a 50-mm long Gianturco Z stent (diameter: 20 mm) with a Dacron prosthesis (diameter: 20 mm). The stented Dacron graft was inserted into the calcified aortic neck, was then sutured to the trimmed aneurysmal wall, and was anastomosed to a bifurcated prosthesis. The distal ends of the bifurcated prosthesis were anastomosed to both common femoral arteries, and the terminal aorta was closed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. This procedure may be a feasible and safe way to repair infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a severely calcified aortic neck.     

The treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysm in patients with non-aneurysmal aorta.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate early and mid-term results of surgical repair of isolated iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) in patients with non aneurysmal abdominal aorta. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2006, 34 patients with IAA had elective surgery. In 32 cases open repair was performed. Two patients had endovascular repair using a tube endoprosthesis and internal iliac artery coil embolization. The diameters of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries were measured preoperatively and during follow-up. Early and late results in terms of mortality, major morbidity, reinterventions and graft-related complications were recorded. Mean pre and postoperative diameters of abdominal aorta were compared. RESULTS: The site of the IAA was the common iliac artery in 29 cases (10 bilateral), internal iliac artery in 4 cases and external iliac artery in 1 case. Preoperative mean abdominal aortic diameter was 22.2mm (SD 7.6). There were no perioperative deaths and two major complications (retroperitoneal bleeding and limb ischemia) occurred. At the median follow-up time of 24 months survival was estimated as 91%. No reinterventions, graft thrombosis and graft related complications occurred. There were no cases of abdominal aorta aneurysm development. Mean aortic diameter at the most recent imaging was 23.1mm, which was not significantly different from preoperative values (p=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of IAAs provides good early and mid-term results. During mid-term follow-up the diameter of abdominal aorta remains stable, suggesting IAA may be a localized aneurysmal disease.     

Simplified operative technique for thoracoabdominal dissecting aneurysm

A graft with branches is used to reconstruct the extensively dissected thoracoabdominal aorta. Anastomoses of the proximal end of the main graft distal to the left subclavian artery and the side branch to the distal aneurysmal descending thoracic aorta were first undertaken after the preparation of both ends under the iliac vein-artery partial bypass. A main graft with a Y graft extension was anastomosed distally to iliac arteries. This permits the blood flow within the aneurysm and the main graft to the extremities until splanchnic and spinal cord arteries have individually been transferred to the main graft. Ischemic time of the splanchnic and spinal cord arteries, using this technique, can be minimized within 10 minutes to each in the total replacement of descending thoracic and abdominal aorta.