[How urgent is the operation of bilateral occlusion of the aortic bifurcation?].
BACKGROUND
Symptoms of occluded aortic bifurcation are variable and consequently lead to the question "How urgent is the operation?".


METHODS
The diagnostic and therapeutic procedure is analysed retrospectively in 6 patients. The reason for the occlusion was thrombosis or embolism in 3 patients each.


RESULTS
A successful bilateral inguinal thrombembolectomy was the standard operative revascularisation. In 2 of 3 emergency cases with critical ischemia the operation was performed without preoperative imaging. 3 patients with non-critical ischemia were operated upon more than 12 hours after rising symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
How urgent the operation is depends primarily on the extent of occlusion. In case of critical ischemia a revascularisation can be performed without angiography. However, a more extensive procedure, even a bifemoral bifurcation graft, must be taken into account.
Cappeller
W-A
WA
Klinik für Allgemein, Viszeral und Gefässchirurgie, Bereich Gefässchirurgie, MLU Halle, Germany.
D000368:Aged; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D007925:Leriche Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*