Surgical treatment of unilateral iliac artery occlusive disease using a retroperitoneal approach.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the early and late postoperative outcome of aorto/iliofemoral bypass operations using a retroperitoneal approach.

METHODS

From December 1999 until the end of December 2005, unilateral aorto/iliofemoral bypass was performed on 23 patients (3 female, 20 male) for unilateral iliac occlusive disease. The average age was 57 years (range: from 45 to 68 years). Operative indications were claudication in seven patients, rest pain in 14 patients, and non-healing ulcer or gangrene in two patients.

RESULTS

Surgical procedures included aortofemoral bypass in ten patients, iliofemoral bypass in 12 patients and aortoiliac bypass in one patient. Simultaneous femoropopliteal bypass was performed on seven patients. Mean follow-up period was 2.5 +/- 0.31 years. Graft patency was 100% during this period.

CONCLUSIONS

A retroperitoneal approach for unilateral iliac obstructive disease is a valuable and well-tolerated alternative to conventional aortobilateral reconstruction in unilateral symptomatic aorto-iliac disease with excellent long-term outcome.