ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Italian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2005 June;12(2):71-4

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

The treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms. Personal experience

De Franciscis S., Serra R., Perziano A., Luongo A., Ciranni S.

Unit of Surgical Clinical Methodology School of Vascular Surgery Department of Peripheral Circulation Pathophysiology Mater Domini University Hospital “Magna Graecia” University, Catanzaro, Italy

Aim. The aim of this study is to suggest, according to personal experience, the possibility of an early surgical treatment for popliteal artery aneurysms even if asymptomatic.
Methods. A total of 24 popliteal artery aneurysms were surgically treated in 19 patients. In 33.3% of cases the aneurysm showed its first clinical manifestation with acute ischemia; in 25% of the cases there were signs of chronic ischemia; in 8.3% signs of venous compression, and in 33.3% of the patients the aneurysm was recognized as asymptomatic. All patients were studied by means of ultrasonography and angiography. In 14.6% of the cases aneurysms were treated with surgical exclusion (ligation), and in 57.3% with resection: revascularization was performed in both cases. In 83.3% of the patients autogenous saphenous vein was used, and in 16.6% PTFE was used. All patients underwent clinical and instrumental controls at 1,3,6,12 months; afterwards, once a year for 3 years.
Results. No perioperative mortality was reported in our study. Perioperative patency rate was 100%. Long term cumulative patency was 79.1% after 3 years. In patients who underwent elective surgery (66.7%), the 3 years patency rate was 100%. In patients who underwent emergency surgical procedure the patency rate was 33.3%. Prosthetic thrombosis occurred in 5 patients who underwent surgical procedure. Secondary patency rate was 100% at 1 year.
Conclusion. The therapeutical success in the treament of the popliteal aneurysms depends on the early diagnosis, and it is strictly related to an appropriate surgical treatment. An elective treatment leads to very good results in terms of patency and vitality of the limb.