Results of different operative procedures for patients with popliteal artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND

Long term results of four different operative procedures for the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms were investigated either performed by short venous or segmental alloplastic interpositions or long femoro-popliteal below the knee bypass using alloplastic grafts or autologous vein.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

47 patients treated for 50 popliteal aneurysms (mean diameter +/- SD: 3.5 +/- 1.1 cm) were analyzed (follow-up: 40.2 +/- 4.9 months).

RESULTS

Primary patency rate was 78% and secondary patency rate was 86% at 5 years. Frequency of operative reinterventions was higher in patients treated for acute ischemia and in patients treated with alloplastic interpositions or alloplastic bypass (p = 0.026). Secondary patency rates were higher in patients treated with autologous venous interpositions or venous femoro-popliteal bypass (p = 0.022). Times of secondary vascular patency were significantly shorter for patients treated with short alloplastic interpositions in comparison to long alloplastic femoro-popliteal bypass procedures, short venous interpositions or long venous bypass operations (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

For the treatment of patients with popliteal aneurysms autologous venous interposition is therefore recommended or as an alternative venous or alloplastic femoro-popliteal below the knee bypass.