Laparoscopy-assisted aortobifemoral bypass through the transperitoneal retrorenal approach

The aim of laparoscopic vascular surgery in the aortoiliac segment is to replicate the excellent outcomes of open aortic surgery while providing the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. We report the case of a 49-year old man with disabling hip claudication and rest pain in his left lower extremity. On examination the patient had reduced right femoral pulse and absent pulses in his left lower extremity. Angiography revealed occlusive disease in the left aortoiliac segment and right common iliac artery stenoses. Laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass was planned. The surgical technique included 70 degrees -right lateral decubitus position and retrorenal retrocolic dissection from the left common iliac artery to the left renal vein. Minilaparotomy consisted of aortic clamping, arteriotomy, and end-to-side aorto-prosthetic anastomosis with Dacron graft. Time to extubation was 5 hours; peristalsis was recovered 72 hours after surgery. The patient was discharged from hospital after cardiologic assessment 9 days after surgery.     

Die laparoskopische Anlage aortobifemoraler Bypässe

Purpose: The aim of the study was to apply laparoscopic techniques in reconstructive procedures for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Methods: From February 1996 to February 1998, 16 patients underwent a laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass procedure (ABF) using the transperitoneal approach. Six, 5 to 12 mm ports were needed to dissect, cross-clamp and divide the infrarenal aorta using specific laparoscopic devices. The aortic anastomosis was made end-to-side. A long curved clamp was then passed from each groin to draw the limbs of the graft into the femoral incision. The distal anastomosis was then performed conventionally. Results: The laparoscopic ABF was performed successfully in 13 of 16 cases. Three times a conversion to open surgery was requested. One patient developed respiratory insufficiency requiring prolonged treatment on the ICU. Mean operative time was 292±60 min; the aorta was crossclamped for 74±18 min. Two patients needed transfusions of red blood cells. In the study group, blood loss averaged 566±434 ml. The bypass patency and the correct positioning of the graft were assessed by angiography. The patients were discharged 9±5.8 days after surgery. At follow-up after 4.5±4 months, 15 patients were examined noninvasively in the vascular laboratory. All grafts were patent, and the ischemic symptoms had resolved in 14 patients. One patient with recurrent claudication had severe stenosis of the left distal anastomosis. Conclusions: The laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass is a feasible, safe and effective procedure. Specific laparoscopic instruments are required for the challenging procedure. The development of vascular staplers and retraction devices will probably reduce the operative time and the technical challenge. In the future this operative technique may gain relevance as a minimally invasive procedure for severe aortoiliac occlusive disease.     

Descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass for occluded abdominal aorta: retroperitoneal route without an abdominal incision

Severe juxtarenal aortic disease and occluded aortic bifurcation grafts have prompted surgeons to seek alternative routes when reoperating. We have modified the descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass procedure by drawing the graft through a retroperitoneal tunnel to the left groin, thereby eliminating the need for an abdominal incision. The lower thoracic area is exposed through a left anterolateral thoracotomy incision and each common femoral artery is exposed by vertical incisions in the groins. The right limb is drawn through a retrorectus tunnel to the right groin for the final anastomosis. Experience with this technique in 12 patients has demonstrated less risk of atheroemboli, less blood loss, shorter operating time, and a more rapid postoperative recovery, than is the case in reentering the abdomen for a secondary aortic procedure.     

Obturator bypass: a classic approach for the treatment of contemporary groin infection

As the number of cardiac and interventional radiologic procedures has risen, the frequency with which surgeons are called to treat groin complications has increased. Infectious groin problems that often involve foreign prosthetic material or remnants of percutaneous femoral closure devices are particularly challenging and require control of bleeding, removal of foreign material, wide debridement, and sometimes arterial resection. Management of the consequential limb ischemia in such cases is controversial. The purpose of this study is to review the utility of extra-anatomic common femoral bypass through the obturator foramen (obturator bypass) as a method of treating limb ischemia after arterial groin infection. From July 1992 through June 2001 a total of 12 patients (six male) presented with severe vascular infections of the groin and underwent obturator bypass. Infections occurred as a consequence of an isolated vascular graft infection (nine) or after a percutaneous interventional femoral access procedure (three). Patients presented with systemic sepsis and a draining sinus (six), infected pseudoaneurysm (two), or hemorrhage (four). Treatment included debridement of the groin wound, sartorius muscle flap coverage of the femoral vessels, antibiotics and synthetic (eight polytetrafluoroethylene and four Dacron) obturator bypass via a lower abdominal extraperitoneal incision from an aortobifemoral bypass graft limb to the superficial femoral artery (six), native iliac to femoral artery (three), iliac to popliteal artery (two), and aortobifemoral bypass limb to the popliteal artery (one). Graft patency and limb salvage were assessed by Kaplan-Meier life table analysis. There were two (17%) deaths (multisystem organ failure at postoperative days 9 and 6) and four major complications (25%) requiring reoperation in the first 30 days. Ten patients (83%) survived, healed their groin wounds, and are infection free. With a mean follow-up of 37 months graft patency and limb salvage at 60 months were 80 and 60 per cent, respectively. There were no late graft infections. We conclude that the obturator bypass is an effective and durable means of revascularization in the presence of the septic groin. This procedure belongs in the armamentarium of all surgeons managing these complications.     

Arterioureteral fistula. An unusual cause of aortofemoral bypass infection. A case report

We report a case of arterioureteral fistula after aortobifemoral bypass surgery and prolonged bilateral double J stents due to ureteral stenosis. A 70-year-old woman presented with a non-tender mass in the left groin and a single episode of haematuria 2 months earlier. A Computed Tomography (CT) revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the left distal suture of the graft. Surgical repair was performed. Because of suspicion of infection the entire aortobifemoral graft was removed and replaced by an autologous venous aortofemoral bypass to the right groin and femorofemoral crossover bypass from the right to the left. During surgery an arterioureteral fistula could be visualized. The urologists performed a left nephroureterectomy of the afunctional left kidney. The further postoperative course was uneventful during the 10 months of follow up.     

完全腹腔镜髂-股动脉人工血管旁路术一例

目的探讨完全腹腔镜髂-股动脉人工血管旁路术的可行性和安全性。方法 2010年5月收治外伤后髂动脉闭塞患者1例,行完全腹腔镜髂总动脉-股动脉人工血管旁路术。患者取仰卧位,脐部下缘10mm切口建立气腹与腹腔镜通道,另置入2个5mmTrocar和1个12mmTrocar导入操作器械。经腹腔入路,游离右髂总动脉。周身肝素化（1mg/kg）后阻断右髂总动脉,远端夹闭后离断。置入膨体聚四氟乙烯人工血管,在腹腔镜下行人工血管-右髂总动脉端端吻合术。吻合成功后,将人工血管经皮下隧道引出至右腹股沟切口。开放手术行人工血管-右股动脉端侧吻合。结果手术过程顺利,手术时间250min,术中髂总动脉阻断时间55min,吻合时间40min,术中失血量300ml。随访1年,人工血管通畅。结论完全腹腔镜髂-股动脉人工血管旁路术是安全、可行的。熟练的腹腔镜血管吻合技术是手术成功的关键。     

Totally retroperitoneal laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass

The classic procedure for aortobifemoral bypass is open surgery. Since the first totally laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass reported in 1997 by Yves-Marie Dion, laparoscopy has been accepted by several authors as a possible minimally invasive alternative for aorto-iliac occlusive disease. The transperitoneal left retrocolic and retrorenal ways are generally used. The totally retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedure has been described as an alternative to the transperitoneal approach. We report here a totally laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach to performing aortobifemoral bypass. This approach was proposed to a 51-year-old man with aorto-iliac occlusive disease. There was no indication for endovascular revascularization. The patient suffered from 10 metres of bilateral intermittent claudication and lower limb ulcers. During the surgical procedure our patient was placed in a 30-degree right lateral decubitus position. The optical system was first placed in an intra-abdominal position to check the positioning of the trocars in the left retroperitoneal space. The dissection of the retroperitoneal space was performed by CO2 insufflation and by blunt dissection using laparoscopic forceps. The infrarenal aorta was exposed and clamped by laparoscopic clamps. A bifurcated graft was sutured on the left-hand side of the aorta by a running suture. Both prosthetic limbs were tunnelized retroperitoneally to the groin under optical control. The femoral anastomoses were performed by classic open surgery.     

Risk factors for surgical-site infection following common femoral artery endarterectomy

Surgical-site infection is a major complication following endarterectomy of the common femoral artery. The aim of this single-center study was to determine risk factors for surgical-site infection after endarterectomy of the common femoral artery and especially the possible association between patch type (venous, bovine, or prosthetic) and the occurrence of groin infection. Retrospectively 140 patients who underwent an endarterectomy of the common femoral artery between 2003 and 2006 were reviewed. About 20 patients (14%) suffered from a surgical-site infection (12 superficial and 8 deep, of which 2 with involvement of the patch). All infections occurred within 30 days postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference between type of patch and surgical-site infection. However, using multivariate analysis, previous arterial surgery in the groin (P = .013) and a wound drain left postoperatively (P = .016) were independent variables for the development of a surgical-site infection after endarterectomy of the common femoral artery.     

血栓闭塞性脉管炎合并动脉硬化闭塞导致下肢缺血的手术治疗

目的 探讨下肢血栓闭塞性脉管炎(thmmboangiitis obliterans,TAO)合并动脉硬化闭塞症(arteriosclerosis obliterans,ASO)手术治疗效果.方法 回顾性分析2007年治疗的TAO合并ASO 6例患者的资料.2例行腹主动脉切开取栓+内膜剥脱+腹主动脉-股深动脉人工血管旁路移植-胭动脉人工血管-小腿动脉自体大隐静脉旁路移植术,1例行腹主动脉切开取栓+内膜剥脱+腹主动脉-右股深动脉人工血管旁路移植-膝下胭动脉人工血管旁路移植术;1例行左髂总动脉-左股深动脉人工血管旁路移植一胫前动脉自体大隐静脉原位移植术,1例行左侧人工血管切开取栓+左股深动脉成形-膝下腘动脉人工血管旁路移植术,1例行右股总动脉-左股总动脉人工血管旁路移植-胫后动脉自体大隐静脉旁路移植术.结果 5例患者术后恢复顺利,1例于术后当天出现股动脉-腘动脉人工血管和远段的大隐静脉桥血栓形成,立即再次手术行人工血管和大隐静脉切开取栓术,并同时行胫后动静脉吻合.6例患者均痊愈出院,无死亡病例.5例患者的下肢远端静息痛完全缓解,1例部分缓解.足部溃疡的2例创面明显缩小,无感染发生.所有患者得到随访,平均随访为6.5个月,3例足部溃疡愈合.1例术后3个月出现左股部切口感染,最终行膝上截肢处理,残端一期愈合.其他5例患者的移植血管通畅,症状缓解.结论 对TAO合并ASO患者如果手术治疗方式恰当,可以取得比较好的疗效.     

Transposition angioplasty: a technique for the correction of proximal anastomotic neointimal hyperplasia in femoral distal bypasses

Neointimal hyperplasia at the proximal anastomosis of a femorodistal bypass can be managed by dividing the autogenous vein graft and transposing the proximal anastomosis from the common femoral to the deep femoral artery. The method obviates repeat dissection of the graft and femoral arteries in the groin.     

完全腹腔镜下主-双股动脉旁路术治疗主、髂动脉硬化闭塞症

目的探讨完全腹腔镜下主一双股动脉旁路术治疗主、髂动脉硬化闭塞症的安全性和可行性。方法2008年11月～2012年11月,完全腹腔镜下主一双股动脉旁路术连续治疗7例主、髂动脉硬化闭塞症。7例均为男性,年龄52—70岁,平均60．6岁。Rutherford分级3级5例,4级I例,5级1例。主、髂病变TASC分级C级2例,D级5例。全麻,先用完全腹腔镜技术经左侧结肠后肾后入路游离肾下腹主动脉,再将“Y”形涤纶人工血管近端与之行端侧吻合,人工血管远端经腹膜后隧道引出至相应侧腹股沟,直视下分别与双侧股动脉吻合。结果5例顺利完成腹腔镜下主一双股动脉旁路术,2例中转开腹（肠系膜下动脉断端的钛夹脱落出血1例,结肠损伤1例）。手术时间420～840rain（中位数585min）,主动脉吻合时间40～150min（中位数65rain）,术中出血量400—1500ml（中位数800m1）。未中转的5例均在术后12—40h恢复进食,术后顺利康复出院。结肠损伤患者术后结肠漏二次开腹手术,结肠漏治愈,术后46天死于呼吸衰竭。一过性左肾积水1例,治愈。吻合口近端腹主动脉残留重度狭窄1例行支架治疗治愈。无症状的部分左肾梗死1例。6例随访2—51个月,平均11．2月,均健在,超声随访移植物均通畅,静息痛和间歇跛行症状均消失。结论完全腹腔镜下主一双股动脉旁路术治疗主、髂动脉硬化闭塞症是安全、可行的。在学习曲线中及时中转保证手术安全是必要的。     

Robotically enhanced coronary artery bypass surgery

Robotically enhanced telemanipulation surgery is a rapidly developing technique which enables totally endoscopic cardiac surgery with utmost precision and perfection on both beating heart and arrested heart. Between December 2002 and September 2006, 268 patients underwent robotically enhanced coronary artery bypass surgery using the da Vinci telemanipulation system. Fourteen patients underwent total endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery. Of these 12 were performed on a beating heart and 2 on an arrested heart. Two-hundred and fifty-four patients had endoscopic takedown of the internal mammary artery followed by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass in 193 patients and left anterolateral thoracotomy in 61 patients. The internal mammary artery mobilization time was 36 min (28–76 min) and the left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery anastomosis time ranged from 20 to 36 min for the totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass patients. The right internal mammary artery of one patient was anastomosed to diagonal artery totally endoscopically. The mean internal mammary artery flow by Doppler measurement in patients undergoing minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass was 58 ml min⁻¹. Seven patients required conversion to median sternotomy and coronary bypass surgery on the beating heart. The mean intensive care unit stay was 1.2 days and the mean hospital stay 4.5 days. There was one in-hospital mortality. All 14 patients who underwent total endoscopic bypass surgery had coronary angiography 3 months later which showed 100% patency in 13 patients. One patient had 50% anastomotic narrowing for which coronary angioplasty was performed in the same sitting. By using telematic technology, a complete endoscopic anastomosis is possible in both single vessels and suitable double vessel disease patients. The use of robotics is now extended to achieve complete myocardial revascularization by harvesting both the internal mammary arteries and making a small thoracotomy for direct anastomosis also.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: Aortobifemoral bypass grafting is a durable operation for arterial reconstruction in patients with symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease. In several small laparoscopic series technically demanding aortic operations have been described that have not gained widespread acceptance or applicability. To simplify the laparoscopic approach to the aorta, we have developed a technique of aortobifemoral bypass grafting that uses hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) to minimize the complexity of aortic dissection and reconstruction. METHODS: Five patients with symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease underwent successful HALS aortobifemoral bypass grafting. With the use of a specialized sleeve device (Hand-Port), an operative hand was introduced into the laparoscopic field while pneumoperitoneum was maintained. Laparoscopic dissection of the infrarenal aorta was then performed with retraction provided by the operative hand. Proximal aortic anastomosis was performed with an open technique through the same 7.5-cm Hand-Port incision, and femoral anastomoses were performed in the standard fashion. RESULTS: Five hand-assisted laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass grafts were performed (two end-to-end, three end-to-side proximal anastomoses). Mean operative time was 231 minutes. Mean blood loss was 440 mL. All patients underwent extubation immediately after surgery, were ambulatory on postoperative day (POD) 1, and were tolerating their diet by POD 3. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.8 days. One patient was discharged on POD 5 and started a clear liquid diet after a self-limiting postoperative ileus. All patients were asymptomatic and back to full activity/work by 14.6 days postoperatively, on average (range, 11-20 days). CONCLUSION: The HALS offers the advantages of tactile feedback, flexible retraction, and the introduction of conventional surgical instruments, all of which extend laparoscopic surgery and its established benefits to a wide array of more complex surgical problems, including major vascular surgery. Ease of performance, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times all suggest that HALS may become a valuable adjunct to conventional aortobifemoral bypass grafting.     

Anastomotic aneurysms of the femoral artery: aetiology and treatment

The aetiology and treatment of 35 femoral false anastomotic aneurysms in 29 patients presenting over the 4-year period 1984-88 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean interval between primary anastomosis and false aneurysm repair was 6 years (range from 2 weeks to 16 years). Twenty-two (63 per cent) false aneurysms had occurred after previous aortobifemoral bypass grafting for occlusive aortoiliac disease. Seven (20 per cent) presented as acute surgical emergencies. Review of the records of the initial operations revealed that superficial wound infections with positive bacteriological cultures had been present in eight cases (23 per cent) and a further two (6 per cent) had lymph fistulae. Thirty-two false aneurysms were repaired, by simple reanastomosis in 14 cases, interposition grafting in 17 cases and in one case by complete revision to an aortobifemoral bypass graft. The risk of a further operative repair was less (P less than 0.05) following interposition grafting, than after simple revision. False aneurysm repairs, when compared with primary reconstructions done during the same period, were associated with more superficial wound infections (37 versus 10 per cent) and more explorations for haemorrhage within 30 days (19 versus 7 per cent).     

Surgical treatment of a retrosternal pseudoaneurysm arising from the posterior aortic root

We report a case of a 60-year-old male with a retrosternal pseudoaneurysm arising from the posterior aortic root. He had undergone replacement of the aortic root and ascending aorta for an acute aortic dissection. His postoperative course was complicated with composite graft infection. During a redo surgery, femoro-femoral bypass was established prior to sternotomy via the right femoral artery and vein, and ten French cannulas were directly inserted into both carotid arteries through separate skin incisions for brain perfusion. When the sternum was divided, an occlusion balloon catheter introduced through the left femoral artery was inflated to maintain somatic perfusion without compromising clear vision of the operative field. Combined procedures with direct cannulation into both common carotid arteries and balloon occlusion of the distal aortic arch allowed us to safely perform replacement of the aortic root and ascending aorta in the patient with a retrosternal pseudoaneurysm.     

Groin lymphatic complications after arterial reconstruction

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to better define the associated risks and optimal management of groin lymphatic complications (GLC) after femoral artery reconstructive operations.Methods: Retrospective review of a vascular surgery registry for the last 15 years identified 2679 arterial operations requiring a groin incision. Forty-one GLC were recognized, 28 lymphocutaneous fistulas (LF) and 13 lymphoceles.Results: The incidence of GLC was 1.5% per patient or 1.2% per incision. The highest incidence of GLC was in patients having an aortobifemoral bypass for aneurysmal disease in a previously operated groin (8.1% per patient) and in those undergoing an isolated femoral procedure in a previously operated groin (5.3%). The lowest frequency of GLC was after femoropopliteal/tibial bypasses (0.5%). Twenty-nine patients (71%) were treated without operation with bedrest, intravenous antibiotics, and aggressive local wound care. Operative therapy with wound reexploration attempted identification and control of the leak site, and meticulous wound closure was used in 12 patients (29%). Lymph fistulas in patients undergoing reoperation (10/28) resolved sooner than in patients treated without operation (18/28) (9 ± 3 days vs 24 ± 3 days). Infectious wound complications with one resultant graft infection developed in five of 18 patients with LF who did not undergo reoperation. There were no wound or graft infections in the patients in the LF group treated with operation. Operative exploration of lymphoceles did not reduce hospital stay or infectious wound complications. Repetitive lymphocele aspiration did not affect rapidity of resolution or increase the infectious complications.Conclusion: GLC remain a troublesome complication of femoral arterial reconstruction. Early reoperation should be performed once a LF is diagnosed. Treatment for lymphoceles should be individualized, with neither operative nor nonoperative management showing clear superiority. (J VASC SURG 1994;19:858-64.)     

Percutaneous technique for venovenous bypass including a heat exchanger is safe and reliable in liver transplantation

We have introduced and evaluated several modifications of the conventional venovenous bypass (VVBP) in 29 adult patients undergoing liver transplantation (OLT). A percutaneous technique for insertion of a jugular venous return cannula and a femoral vein cannula was applied. The inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) was used for splanchnic decompression, which facilitated dissection of the recipient liver and allowed portal anastomosis to be performed without disconnecting the portal bypass. A heat exchanger was introduced into the bypass circuit to prevent heat loss. The percutaneous technique prevented complications related to dissection in the axilla and groin. Hemodynamic characteristics corresponded to those found using the traditional technique. Complications related to the VVBP were seen in only one patient in whom the femoral catheter was accidentally introduced into the femoral artery. We conclude that percutaneous cannulas, use of the IMV for splanchnic decompression and the introduction of a heat exchanger offer significant benefits and that they are safe and reliable. Received: 23 August 1996 Received after revision: 14 January 1997 Accepted: 27 January 1997     

Retroperitoneal aortofemoral bypass using a reversed L-shaped prosthesis

An extraperitoneal approach for aortofemoral bypass has proven superior to the transperitoneal approach. The incision starts at the tip of the eleventh rib and extends obliquely downward to 2 inches above the femoral point, where it turns further downward over the femoral artery. This approach is especially suitable for a reversed L-shaped prosthesis which extends from the aorta directly to the left femoral artery and crosses the abdomen subcutaneously to the right groin, where an anastomosis is made with the right femoral artery. The operation is simple and rapid. Morbidity is reduced and recovery is accelerated. The same incision is used to perform aortoiliac endarterectomy. Fifteen patients with occlusive disease and twenty-one with aneurysms received reversed L-shaped prostheses through an extraperitoneal approach. The procedure was superior to that involving a transperitoneal approach to the aorta and the reversed L-shaped graft was superior to the Y graft for replacement of the iliac arteries.     

Modified fontan operation

From November 1988 to October 1991 30 patients underwent a total extracardiac right heart bypass for complex cardiac anomalies by means of bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and interposition of a conduit from the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery. Mean age at surgery was 6.4 years and mean weight 19.2 kg. There was 1 hospital death (3%) due to a borderline indication for a Fontan operation. 2 patients had further surgery: In 1 the repair was taken down due to the stenosis of the left pulmonary artery and the patient was left with a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis only, the second patient required a revision of the cavopulmonary anastomosis due to a stenosis of the superior vena cavaright pulmonary artery junction. There were no late deaths and the survivors are in good clinical condition a mean of 15.1 months after the operation. We propose this technique as an alternative surgical option in candidates for a Fontan operation in whom atrial septation is hazardous including those with 1) hypoplasia or atresia of the left atrio-ventricular valve, 2) common atrioventricular valve, 3) anomalies of systemic and/or pulmonary venous return, or 4) auricular juxtaposition.     

Ruptured femoral pseudo-aneurysm through the skin: a rare vexing complication following aortobifemoral reconstruction

A man, aged 73, presented with a pulsatile mass in his left groin area after an aortobifemoral reconstruction 24 years ago. This case showed a femoral pseudo-aneurysm that evolved very quickly to rupture through the skin requiring emergency operative repair.