Popliteal Artery Aneurysms: Is Endovascular Reconstruction Durable?

Abstract

This initial series describes a minimally invasive, endovascular method of performing femoropopliteal in situ saphenous vein (SV) bypass and popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) embolization. Twenty patients have undergone PAA operations. Eleven patients had conventional SV bypasses with proximal and distal ligation of the popliteal artery (PA), and nine patients underwent PAA embolization and an endovascular in situ SV bypass (EISB). The EISB bypass was performed using an angioscopic guided side branch occlusion coil system, whereas the PAAs were embolized with occlusion coils under fluoroscopic surveillance. After operation in the EISB group there were no deaths, no wound complications, and the mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 2.1 days. Six operations were performed through two incisions, and three operations required an additional incision. Primary patency was 88% (8/9), and all PAAs remained occluded by color flow ultrasonography at follow-up ranging from 4 to 23 months (mean 11.2 months). In the con...