title: Surgical management of chronic total occlusion of abdominal aorta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The surgical management of the totally occluded abdominal aorta is highly complex and possible complications are more likely to be seen. We reviewed our experience to make a base for future endoluminal procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-one patients with totally occluded abdominal aorta were operated between 1985 and 1998 in a main referral hospital of the social security organization and the results of vascular interventions were evaluated retrospectively. Juxtarenal aortic occlusion was seen in 52% of these patients. All the patients were operated using the transperitoneal approach and adequate dissection to control renal arteries. Limited thrombectomy through infrarenal aortotomy without transecting the aorta was done and continued with standard aortic graft insertion except for 1 patient with porcelain aorta.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up was 76.9+/-41.9 (SD) months. Fourteen patients had concurrent femoro-distal bypass and 2 patients had concurrent renal bypass. Perioperative mortality was 5.6% and 26.5% of patients needed a second intervention during follow-up. Five-, 10- and 13-year survival and freedom from secondary operation was as follows: 84%, 56% and 44%, 81%, 54% and 42%. Cumulative primary and secondary graft patencies at 5- and 10-years were 68%, 63% and 92%, 92%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical intervention is beneficial for patients with totally occluded aorta even if ischemic complaints are relatively mild and stable. Acceptable mortality rates and long-term results form a basis for future endovascular interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. imavioglu@mersin.edu.tr
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mavioglu
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Veli Dogan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozeren
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dolgun
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yucel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007925:Leriche Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency