title: Endovascular aneurysm repair with fascia suture technique: short and mid-term results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (p-EVAR), has been widely spread based on the recent improvements in stent-graft technology and mainly in delivery system downsizing. Aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of fascia suture technique (FST) in p-EVAR during the short and mid-term follow-up (FU).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 2011 and July 2013, 64 consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm were enrolled in a prospective single center registry. Fifty-four patients were eligible for elective p-EVAR assisted by the fascia suture technique. Patients were prospectively followed with duplex scan 24 hours and 30 days postoperatively and with CTA annually thereafter. Femoral haematoma, pseudoaneurysm and limb ischaemia were the primary outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study investigated 103 femoral arteries reconstructions using the FST. Intraoperatively, one patient was diagnosed with limb ischaemia treated with open repair. During the short-term, 4 (3.8%) pseudoaneurysms were diagnosed, treated with open (2) or endovascular (2) repair. During mid-term 43 patients (85 arteries, 82.6%) underwent CTA. Eighteen (17.4%) patients were lost at FU. At 12 months CTA two pseudoaneurysms (2.35%) were detected, treated with open repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FST seems safe and effective for femoral reconstruction after p-EVAR. Complications are comparable to closure devices and to conventional repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery Unit, 251 Hellenic Air Force Hospital, Athens, Greece - drgikaraolanis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bountouris
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Melas
authors.forename: Georgios I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Karaolanis
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siafakas
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bazinas
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kouris
authors.forename: Kostantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lagios
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgopoulos
authors.forename: Theodossios
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Perdikides
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005205:Fascia; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex