title: Remote iliac artery endarterectomy: seven-year results of a less invasive technique for iliac artery occlusive disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Remote endarterectomy of external and common iliac artery occlusions through a single, groin incision under fluoroscopic guidance is a relative unknown surgical procedure. This prospective single center cohort study describes this less invasive endovascular technique with the ring strip cutter and its early complications. The results at midterm follow-up are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 1994 to July 2001, 49 remote-endarterectomies of the external or common iliac artery were performed in a retrograde manner from a single, groin incision in 48 patients (30 men, 31 procedures). The median age was 66 years (39 to 82 years). Indications for operation were as follows: severe claudication in 28 (57%), rest pain in 13 (27%), and gangrene in 8 (16%) procedures. Follow-up included clinical evaluation, ankle-brachial index, and duplex scanning at 6 weeks, 3 months, and yearly thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraoperative technical success was achieved in 43 (88%) procedures. A retroperitoneal incision was necessary in three patients for an additional arteriotomy in the iliac artery and in three others for a bypass procedure. The mean follow-up was 20 months (2 to 77 months). Three-year cumulative primary patency rate by means of life table analysis was 60.2% +/- 12.0 (SE). During follow-up, percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty with and without stenting was performed in six and two patients, respectively, resulting in a 3-year primary-assisted patency rate of 85.7% +/- 9.56. Three-year secondary patency was 94.2% +/- 5.50.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remote endarterectomy in external and common iliac arterial occlusive disease is a feasible endovascular procedure with a low complication rate. The midterm primary-assisted patency rate is good.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Antnoius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, 3534 CM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Luuk
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: Gerrit-Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: de Borst
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Jos C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Gwan H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Frans L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Moll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome