Adjunctive procedures for the treatment of proximal type I endoleak: the role of peri-aortic ligatures and Palmaz stenting.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and long-term effects of peri-aortic ligatures and Palmaz stenting used to treat proximal type I endoleak after endovascular repair (EVR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).


METHODS
An 8-year single-center experience with proximal type I endoleak was reviewed; the records of the 55 identified cases were examined to ascertain the methods of treatment used. Among these, all 22 patients who were treated with peri-aortic ligatures and Palmaz stenting were segregated for analysis.


RESULTS
The 22 patients (14 men; mean age 74.6 years, range 66-85) with proximal type I endoleak (18 early, 4 late) selected for analysis underwent 23 secondary procedures: 15 involving peri-aortic ligatures and 8 Palmaz stent implantations. Of the 18 early endoleaks, 11 were treated intraoperatively and 7 were observed. Ten (45%) patients died within 30 days of endoleak treatment: 8 had early endoleaks. Five of the 10 deaths occurred in patients successfully treated with peri-aortic ligatures (3/10) or Palmaz stenting (2/7). The 12 (54%) surviving patients suffered no aneurysm-related deaths or secondary endoleaks over a median follow-up of 20 months (range 4-75).


CONCLUSIONS
Endoleak is an important mode of failure after endovascular repair. Peri-aortic ligatures and Palmaz stenting are feasible techniques for the treatment of proximal endoleak; however, the perioperative mortality of peri-aortic ligatures was higher when compared with other less invasive techniques. In contrast to other therapeutic options, these methods are more effective in the short and medium term.
Tzortzis
Elias
E
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham, England, UK.
Hinchliffe
Robert J
RJ
Hopkinson
Brian R
BR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome