Surgical outcome of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis presents several surgical difficulties due to tissue fragility, accelerated atherosclerosis, and calcification of the aorta. In addition to these surgical procedure-related problems, anemia, electrolyte abnormalities, bleeding tendency, and susceptibility to infection were also critical issues in perioperative management. The aim of this study was to examine the surgical outcome of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Between January 1988 and August 2001, six patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis underwent repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. There were five males and one female, and the mean age was 65 years. Two of the six patients had bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms in addition to the abdominal aortic aneurysm. At the time of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the duration of hemodialysis had ranged from 3 to 109 months, with a mean of 34 months. All patients underwent hemodialysis on the day prior to the abdominal aortic aneurysm repair operation. The first postoperative hemodialysis was scheduled to be performed on the day after operation or later. The mean duration of operation was 291 min. Blood transfusion was required in all patients. The first postoperative hemodialysis was performed between the first and third postoperative days. Postoperative complications were: ileus in one, and atrial fibrillation and blue toe syndrome just after operation in one. There was no hospital death. The follow-up period was 56 months. One patient died of lingual cancer at 102 months after operation. Five patients are alive. Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair can be done in patients on chronic hemodialysis with an acceptable early and long-term outcome.