Reoperation for complications of renal artery reconstructive surgery undertaken for treatment of renovascular hypertension.

Seventy-two secondary operations for complications of prior renal artery reconstructive surgery were undertaken in 58 patients. This experience evolved from the management of 373 patients who underwent 425 primary operations for renovascular hypertension. Secondary operations were performed 10 times in pediatric patients following 42 primary procedures (24%); 44 times in adult fibrodysplastic patients following 199 initial operations (22%); and 18 times in atherosclerotic patients after 184 primary operations (10%). The overall reoperation rate was 15.5% (58 of 373 patients). Reoperation typically followed persistent or recurrent hypertension caused by graft thromboses, perianastomotic graft narrowing, or progressive nonanastomotic graft stenoses. Aneurysmal deterioration of vein grafts was an uncommon reason for reoperation. Secondary reconstructions included nephrectomy (31), bypass with vein grafts (15) or prosthetic grafts (8), angioplasty or reimplantation (12), thrombectomy (4), and operative dilation (2). Benefits regarding hypertension control were afforded 91% of these patients. One death occurred among the 72 reoperations, representing a 1.4% operative mortality rate. Reoperative renal artery reconstructive surgery for complications of renal revascularization may present formidable technical problems. Early diagnosis and prompt reoperation with exacting vascular surgical techniques are most likely to provide optimal results.