A LONG-TERM CASE REPORT OF GRAFT REPLACEMENT AND OMENTAL PEDICLE FLAP COVERAGE OF TREATMENT OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM IN BEHÇET'S DISEASE

Abstract

Aortic aneurysm due to BehCet's desease has a high risk of abrupt enlargement causing rupture. Fot this, operative procedure in often the treatment of choice, but complications at anastomosed portion occur in a relatively high frequency and the operative results are poor. This paper deals with our successful attempt of omental flap coverage for such an abdominal aortic aneurysm. A 56-year-old man originally diagnosed as complete type Behcet's disease in 1967, was admitted to our hospital because of an aortic abdominal aneurysm disclosec by CT and DSA. The aneurysm consisted of a large thrombus, and a punched-out lesion was found on the aorta (φ 20mm) beneath the thrombus. The aneu-rysm was replaced by an 16×8mm woven dacron graft and the graft was wrapped in omental pedicle flap to prevent potential anastomotic complications of development of false aneurysms at the site of anastomoses, in-fection, delayed healing, and graft occlusion. Pathologic examination revealed that the patient had vasculo-Behcet's syndrome. The patient has been followed for over 5 years and has had no further complications either from his un-derlying disease or from his aortic dissection and aneurysm. Omental flap coverage is essential for effective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in Behget's disease.