Durability of open popliteal artery aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze our long-term results after open surgery for popliteal artery aneurysm.

METHODS

Records of patients who received surgery between 1998 and 2010 were retrieved from a computerized database and analyzed retrospectively. End points of the study were perioperative mortality and morbidity and patency and limb salvage rate.

RESULTS

Two hundred and six popliteal aneurysms (median diameter, 30 mm; interquartile range, 18 mm) were treated (161 elective, 45 emergent) in 154 patients (mean age, 67 ± 11 years) using vein grafts (82%) via the medial approach (92%). Above-knee popliteal artery (45%) and below-knee popliteal artery (65%) were the predominant inflow and outflow vessels. The overall surgical mortality was 2% (2% for elective and 3% for emergent procedures; P = not significant). Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates were 88.1% (73.5%), 92.1% (84.3%), and 96.5% (89.8%) at 5 (at 10) years, respectively, with no significant difference between elective and emergent surgeries. Limb salvage rate was significantly reduced in the emergent group vs the elective group with 91.1% vs 98.6% at 5 and 10 years (P = .0049). The rate of freedom from any reintervention was 84.3% at 5 and 69.8% at 10 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Open surgery for popliteal artery aneurysm is marked by low perioperative mortality and morbidity and provides excellent long-term results.