title: A multicentric experience with open surgical repair and endovascular exclusion of popliteal artery aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyse early and follow-up results of the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) performed with open surgical repair or with endovascular exclusion with endografts in a multicentric retrospective registry involving seven Italian vascular centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively collected data concerning 178 open surgical interventions (OR group) and 134 endovascular exclusions (ER group) for PAAs performed between January 2000 and December 2011. Early and follow-up results were analysed in terms of mortality, graft patency, reintervention and limb preservation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OR patients were more frequently symptomatic (64%, 115 cases) than patients in the ER group (34%, 51 cases; p < 0.001), had more frequently acute limb ischaemia (23% and 6.5%, respectively; p < 0.001) and had more frequently a run-off score <2 (39% and 26%, respectively, p = 0.03). In the OR group there were no perioperative deaths; six thromboses (3.3%) and one amputation occurred. In the ER group mortality was 1.5%; 13 thromboses (9.7%) and one amputation (0.5%) occurred. Mean duration of follow-up was 30.6 ± 27.5 months. In the OR group primary and secondary patency, freedom from reintervention and limb preservation rates at 48 months were 63.5% (standard error (SE) 0.05), 76.5% (SE 0.05), 72.5% (SE 0.06) and 89.7% (SE 0.05), respectively. The corresponding figures in the ER group were 73.4% (SE 0.04), 85% (SE 0.04), 75% (SE 0.04) and 97% (SE 0.04), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this large multicentric retrospective registry, open and endovascular treatment of PAAs are used in different patients with regard to clinical and anatomical characteristics. Both treatments are feasible and safe, providing satisfactory early and long-term results.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pulli
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Dorigo
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Castelli
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Dorrucci
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ferilli
authors: G
authors: G
authors: De Blasis
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Monaca
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Vecchiati
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Benincasa
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pratesi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007558:Italy; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012042:Registries; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency