Popliteal artery aneurysm surgical repair: Retrospective unicenter analysis.

Background: Popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) thromboembolic complications may result in limb loss. We review our experience reporting outcomes in terms of complications and early and long-term patency rates.

Methods: From 2004 to 2013, 116 PAA required surgical repair at Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Portugal. Outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests, X2, and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: A total of 116 PAAs with a mean diameter of 3.3 cm (1.5 to 10 cm) were followed. 40% limbs were asymptomatic and 27% presented with acute ischemia. 97% underwent medial bypass procedure (venous in 66%). Early mortality was 0.9% (1/116). 30-day and five-year cumulative limb salvage was 94.0% and 87%, respectively. There was no limb loss in asymptomatic patients and 1-3 Rutherford chronic ischemia. 62% early amputations were performed in acute ischemia, half of them with functioning bypass. 30-day primary and secondary patency rates were 91% and 97% respectively, higher with GSVs (96% and 99%) than PTFE (58% and 95%, P < .05; Fig 1). The 5-year primary and secondary patency rates were 68.1% and 73,5%, respectively, higher with GSVs (83% and 87%) than PTFE (37% and 43%, P < .05). Two recurrent PAAs (1,7%) required reintervention. Predictors for both amputation and loss of primary patency were PTFE bypass (p =0,002), and emergent surgery (p = 0,005). Acute ischemia was also predictor for amputation (p = 0,026), but not for loss of primary patency.

Conclusions: Results of surgery on asymptomatic PAAs are good - significantly better than those from symptomatic PAAs. The results are similarly good in claudicants. The risks of early and late amputation were higher with prosthetic grafts and in an emergent settings.