title: Cryopreserved autologous saphenous vein for staged treatment of bilateral popliteal aneurysms: report of three cases.
abstract: Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common aneurysmal disease of the lower extremity. Although endovascular solutions are gaining consensus, open surgery with interposition grafting remains the standard of care. The great saphenous vein (GSV) is the most commonly used conduit and shows the best long-term results. However, optimal vein segments can sometimes be unavailable, thus leading to the use of unsuitable segments or prosthetic grafts. We report the cases of 3 patients who had bilateral popliteal aneurysms and only 1 GSV that was considered suitable for grafting, without alternative venous segments. All patients underwent staged treatment with the use of the GSV. After the first operation, the remaining GSV was cryopreserved and then reused for the contralateral limb. All patients had an uneventful outcome. No graft occlusions and no aneurysmal dilatations were detected at follow-up. Cryopreservation of autologous vein for staged treatment of bilateral popliteal aneurysms is feasible and seems to avoid the risk of residual GSV loss during the time inbetween the interventions.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: giovanni.coppi@gmail.com.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Coppi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Ragazzi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Gioachino
authors: G
authors: Coppi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Cataldi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Vittorio
authors: V
authors: Corvi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Silingardi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D000792:Angiography; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*