Suprarenal or supraceliac aortic clamping during repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Suprarenal or supraceliac aortic clamping during repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms can be complicated by renal, hepatic, and intestinal ischemia. To determine whether suprarenal or supraceliac clamping increases morbidity and mortality we retrospectively reviewed our recent nonrandomized experience. Between January 1993 and December 1998, 716 patients underwent elective (n=682) or urgent (n=34) infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Infrarenal clamping was used in 516 (72. 1 %) and suprarenal or supraceliac clamping in 200 (279%). The suprarenal/supraceliac group had significantly more older patients (> or = 70 years of age) (65.5% vs 477%) and a higher incidence of preoperative renal insufficiency (75% vs 5.5%). Suprarenal or supraceliac clamping was used during repair of ruptured (n=25), juxtarenal (n=7), or inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (n=4); during concomitant renal or visceral revascularization (n=43); in other difficult settings (n=13); or at the surgeon's discretion (n=108). The decision for such clamping was always made during surgery In treating ruptured aneurysms, suprarenal/supraceliac clamping (25/200) was used more often than infrarenal clamping (9/516) (12.5% vs 1.74%). Operative times were similar in both groups, but transfusion requirements and length of hospital stay were slightly greater in the suprarenal/supraceliac group. Perioperative mortality was 3.1% overall, but higher in the suprarenal/ supraceliac group than in the infrarenal (75% vs 1.4%). Postoperative complications developed in 26 (13%) of patients who underwent suprarenal/supraceliac clamping. Abdominal re-exploration was required in 9 other patients. We conclude that, despite associated comorbidities, elective suprarenal/supraceliac clamping during infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is safe, facilitates repair, and does not significantly increase mortality.