In Patients with Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome, Does Surgery Improve Quality of Life?

Abstract

Popliteal entrapment syndrome (PES) is a rare disorder characterized by popliteal artery compression and symptoms of lower extremity ischemia. It is divided into two main subgroups – anatomic and functional popliteal entrapment. Anatomic popliteal entrapment was first described in the 1870s and is caused by abnormal anatomic development of the popliteal artery and/or gastrocnemius muscle. Functional PES is caused by hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius/soleus complex in anatomically normal subjects. Patients typically present in the second to third decades of life, are physically active and may be professional athletes, and have no other cardiovascular risk factors for the development of vascular disease. Surgical intervention via myotomy of the medial head of the gastrocnemius or myotomy plus interposition vein or prosthetic graft for more advanced disease remains the cornerstone of therapy for these patients; however long-term quality of life data is limited to retrospective reviews.