Twenty years operating experience for popliteal artery aneurysm.
BACKGROUND
Is it better to treat popliteal aneurysms as elective operations when their diameter is above 2 cm?


METHODS
Between 1985 and 2004, 76 operations for popliteal artery aneurysm were performed in 67 patients.


RESULTS
58 operations were elective (76.32%) and 18 were emergencies [13 procedures and 5 urgent amputations] (23.68%). For reconstruction, autologous saphenous vein was used in 53 cases (69.74%), vascular prosthesis in 15 cases (19.74%), and a cryo-preserved vein allograft in 3 cases (3.95%). In 5 cases (6.58%), amputation for advanced lower limb ischaemia was performed without arterial reconstruction. In our patient group there were 62 men (92.53%) and 5 women (7.47%). Patient age ranged from 49 to 80 years, with a mean age of 69 years. Elective operation was indicated in most of the patients with popliteal artery aneurysm, because it was associated with a relatively low risk for the patient. In fact, it was a preventive operation. In the acute stage, there was a higher risk of complications and (potential) amputation.


CONCLUSIONS
Popliteal aneurysms should be surgically treated as soon as possible after their diagnosis, preferably before ischaemic complications occur.
Podlaha
J
J
Second Department of Surgery, St. Anne's Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. jiri.podlaha@fnusa.cz
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014654:Vascular Patency