Early and long-term results of surgical treatment of splenic artery aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
This retrospective study was conducted to describe the presentation, surgical treatment, and follow-up of patients with splenic artery aneurysms.


METHODS
From 1982 to 2000, 1,952 patients with abdominal aneurysms were referred to our department; 15 had splenic artery aneurysms. None had ruptured. All were operated on.


RESULTS
Fourteen complete and 1 partial aneurysmectomies were carried out. Arterial continuity was restored in 10, by end-to-end anastomosis, and 4 had splenectomies. In 1 patient the spleen was preserved without arterial reconstruction. There were no deaths. Morbidity was restricted to 1 patient with a limited, asymptomatic splenic infarction. Eleven patients were followed up for a mean 19.7 months. No deaths or major complications were recorded. Reconstructed splenic arteries were patent in all cases without atrophy or new cases of splenic infarction.


CONCLUSIONS
Elective surgery for splenic artery aneurysms is safe. Arterial reconstruction allows good early and long-term results. In some cases splenectomy may be unavoidable.
Pulli
R
R
Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134, Florence, Italy. vasc@unifi.it
Innocenti
A A
AA
Barbanti
E
E
Dorigo
W
W
Turini
F
F
Gatti
M
M
Pratesi
C
C
D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000601:surgery*