Technical Tips for Performing Suprahepatic Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy in Renal Cell Carcinoma without Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy for advanced renal cell carcinoma is an oncologically relevant approach that can achieve long-term survival even in the presence of distant metastases. However, the surgical techniques pose significant challenges. The objective of this clinical review was to present technical recommendations for tumor thrombectomy in the vena cava to facilitate surgical treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography is required to prepare for this procedure. Cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered when the tumor thrombus has invaded the cardiac chamber and clamping is not feasible because of the inability to milk the intracardiac chamber thrombus in the caudal direction. Prior to performing a cavotomy, it is crucial to clamp the contralateral renal vein and infrarenal and suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC). If the suprahepatic IVC is separated from the surrounding tissue, it can be gently pulled down toward the patient’s leg until the lower margin of the atrium becomes visible. Subsequently, the tumor thrombus should be carefully pulled downward to a position where it can be clamped. Implementing the Pringle maneuver to reduce blood flow from the hepatic veins to the IVC during IVC cavotomy is simpler than clamping the hepatic veins. Sequential clamping is a two-stage method of dividing thrombectomy by clamping the IVC twice, first suprahepatically and then midretrohepatically. This sequential clamping technique helps minimize hypotension status and the Pringle maneuver time compared to single clamping. Additionally, a spiral cavotomy can decrease the degree of primary closure narrowing. The oncological prognoses of patients can be improved by incorporating these technical recommendations.

Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Background@#Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is a serious complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with high operative mortality and morbidity rates. The present study evaluated the perioperative and long-term outcomes of Korean patients with rAAA based on national health insurance claims data. @*Methods@#The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database was searched retrospectively to identify patients with rAAA who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) from 2009 to 2018. Perioperative (≤ 30 days), early postoperative (≤ 3 month), and long-term (> 3 month) survival, reinterventions, and complications were assessed. @*Results@#The search identified 1,034 patients with rAAA, including 594 who underwent EVAR and 440 who underwent OSR. When the study period was divided into two, the total numbers of patients with rAAA, patients who underwent EVAR, and octogenarians were higher during the second half. The perioperative mortality rate was 29.8% in the EVAR and 35.0% in the OSR group (P = 0.028). Hartmann’s procedure for bowel infarction was performed more frequently in the OSR than in the EVAR group (adjusted odds ratio, 6.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.33–21.84; P = 0.001), but other complication rates did not differ significantly. All-cause mortality during the entire observation period did not differ significantly in the EVAR and OSR groups (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.98–1.41; P = 0.087). Abdominal aortic aneurysm-related reintervention rate was significantly lower in the OSR group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14–0.70; P = 0.005). @*Conclusion@#Although EVAR showed somewhat superior perioperative outcomes for rAAA, the long-term outcomes of EVAR after excluding initial 3 months were significantly worse than OSR. When anatomically feasible for both treatments, the perioperative mortality risk and reasonable prospects of long-term survival should be considered in rAAA.

Clinical outcomes of in situ graft reconstruction in treating infected abdominal aortic stent grafts following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: a single-center experience

Purpose@#This study aimed to review our experience with the explantation of infected endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) grafts. @*Methods@#This single-center, retrospective, observational study analyzed the data of 12 consecutive patients who underwent infected aortic stent graft explantation following EVAR between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, of which 11 underwent in situ graft reconstruction following graft removal. The presentation symptoms, infection route, original pathology of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), graft materials, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. @*Results@#Six patients underwent total explantation, whereas 5 underwent removal of only the fabric portions. For in situ reconstructions, prosthetic grafts and banked allografts were used in 8 and 3 patients, respectively. Four mechanisms of graft infection were noted in 11 patients: 4 had bacteremia from systemic infections, 3 had persistent infections following EVAR of primary infected AAA, 3 had ascending infections from adjacent abscesses, and 1 had an aneurysm sac erosion resulting in an aortoenteric fistula. No infection-related postoperative complications or reinfections occurred during the mean 65.27-month (standard deviation, ±52.51) follow-up period. One patient died postoperatively because of the rupture of the proximal aortic wall pseudoaneurysm that had occurred during forceful bare stent removal. @*Conclusion@#Regardless of graft material, in situ graft reconstruction is safe for interposition in treating an infected aortic stent graft following EVAR. In our experience, the residual bare stent is no longer a risk factor for reinfection. Therefore, it is important not to injure the proximal aortic wall when removing the bare stent by force.

Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in Korea: a nationwide study

Purpose@#Although endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been shown to be superior to open surgical repair (OSR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treatment, no large-scale studies in the Korean population have compared outcomes and costs. @*Methods@#The National Health Insurance Service database in Korea was screened to identify AAA patients treated with EVAR or OSR from 2008 to 2019. Perioperative, early postoperative, and long-term survival were compared, as were reinterventions and complications. Patients were followed-up through 2020. @*Results@#Of the 13,631 patients identified, 2,935 underwent OSR and 10,696 underwent EVAR. Perioperative mortality rate was lower in the EVAR group (4.2% vs. 8.0%, P < 0.001) even after excluding patients with ruptured AAA (2.7% vs.3.3%, P = 0.003). However, long-term mortality rate per 100 person-years was significantly higher in the EVAR than in the OSR group (9.0 vs. 6.4, P < 0.001), and all-cause mortality was lower in the OSR group (hazard ratio, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.87–0.97, P = 0.008). EVAR had a higher AAA-related reintervention rate per 100 person-years (1.75 vs. 0.52), and AAA-related reintervention costs were almost 10-fold higher with EVAR (US dollar [USD] 6,153,463) than with OSR (USD 624,216). @*Conclusion@#While EVAR may have short-term advantages, OSR may provide better long-term outcomes and costeffectiveness for AAA treatment in the Korean population, under the medical expense system in Korea.

BRAFV600E Mutation Enhances Estrogen-Induced Metastatic Potential of Thyroid Cancer by Regulating the Expression of Estrogen Receptors

Background@#Cross-talk between mitogen-activated protein kinase and estrogen has been reported; however, the role of BRAFV600E in the estrogen responsiveness of thyroid cancer is unknown. We elucidated the effect of BRAFV600E on the estrogen-induced increase in metastatic potential in thyroid cancer. @*Methods@#Using a pair of cell lines, human thyroid cell lines which harbor wild type BRAF gene (Nthy/WT) and Nthy/BRAFV600E (Nthy/V600E), the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and estrogen-induced metastatic phenotypes were evaluated. Susceptibility to ERα- and ERβ-selective agents was evaluated to confirm differential ER expression. ESR expression was analyzed according to BRAFV600E status and age (≤50 years vs. >50 years) using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. @*Results@#Estradiol increased the ERα/ERβ expression ratio in Nthy/V600E, whereas the decreased ERα/ERβ expression ratio was found in Nthy/WT. BRAFV600E-mutated cell lines showed a higher E2-induced increase in metastatic potential, including migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth compared with Nthy/WT. An ERα antagonist significantly inhibited migration in Nthy/V600E cells, whereas an ERβ agonist was more effective in Nthy/WT. In the BRAFV600E group, ESR1/ESR2 ratio was significantly higher in younger age group (≤50 years) compared with older age group (>50 years) by TCGA data analysis. @*Conclusion@#Our data show that BRAFV600E mutation plays a crucial role in the estrogen responsiveness of thyroid cancer by regulating ER expression. Therefore, BRAFV600E might be used as a biomarker when deciding future hormone therapies based on estrogen signaling in thyroid cancer patients.

Fate of Pure Type II Endoleaks Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

PURPOSE: Type II endoleaks (T2ELs) are the most common type of endoleaks observed after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, whether T2ELs should be treated remains debatable. In the present study, we aimed to describe the natural course of T2ELs and suggest the direction of their management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of 383 patients who underwent EVAR between 2007 and 2016. Data, including demographic and anatomical details, were collected, and patients with T2ELs were compared to those without them. Patients with T2ELs were categorized into subgroups according to changes in sac size and treatment requirement. RESULTS: We found patent lumbar artery count and lesser thickness of mural thrombi to be significant risk factors for T2ELs. Among the 383 patients, 85 (22.2%) patients were diagnosed with pure T2ELs. Among these 85 patients, the sac size increased in 29 (34.1%) patients, showed no significant change in 39 (45.9%) patients, and decreased in 17 (20.0%) patients. Fifteen (17.6%) patients, among 85 with initial pure T2ELs, showed spontaneous resolution. Five (5.9%) patients among 29, in whom the sac size increased, developed combined-type endoleaks. No sac ruptures were noted among the patients with T2ELs. CONCLUSION: T2ELs with sac expansion potentially contribute to other types of endoleaks. Therefore, periodic screening is important for these patients, particularly for those showing an increasing sac size. In addition, intervention should be considered when other types of endoleaks occur.

Effect of severe contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion on early and late outcomes after carotid endarterectomy

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare clinical outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) between Korean patients with and without severe contralateral extracranial carotid stenosis or occlusion (SCSO). METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2014, a total of 661 patients who underwent 731 CEAs were stratified by SCSO (non-SCSO and SCSO groups) and analyzed retrospectively. The study outcomes included the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as stroke or myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality during the perioperative period and within 4 years after CEA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of MACE or any individual MACE manifestations between the 2 groups during the perioperative period or within 4 years after CEA. On multivariate analysis to identify clinical variables associated with long-term study outcomes, older age (hazard ratios [HRs], 1.06; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.03–1.09; P < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14–2.57; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE occurrence, while preexisting SCSO was not associated with long-term incidence of MACE and individual MACE components. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed similar MACE-free (P = 0.509), overall (P = 0.642), and stroke-free (P = 0.650) survival rates in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in MACE incidence after CEA between the non-SCSO and SCSO groups, and preexisting SCSO was not associated with an increased risk of perioperative or long-term MACE occurrence.

Clinical Outcomes of a Preoperative Inferior Vena Cava Filter in Acute Venous Thromboembolism Patients Undergoing Abdominal-Pelvic Cancer or Orthopedic Surgery

PURPOSE: Surgery is the most common risk factor for pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with a recent venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study reviewed clinical outcomes of preoperative inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) use in patients with acute VTE during abdominal-pelvic cancer or lower extremity orthopedic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with a recent VTE who underwent IVCF replacement prior to abdominal-pelvic cancer or lower extremity orthopedic surgery conducted between January 2010 and December 2016. Demographics, clinical characteristics, postoperative IVCF status, risk factors for a captured thrombus, and clinical outcomes were collected for these subjects. RESULTS: Among the 122 study patients who were diagnosed with acute VTE in the prior 3 months and underwent preoperative IVCF replacement, 70 patients (57.4%) received abdominal-pelvic cancer surgery and 52 (42.6%) underwent lower extremity orthopedic surgery. There were no perioperative complications associated with IVCF in the study population and no cases of symptomatic PE postoperatively. A captured thrombus in the filter was identified postoperatively in 16 patients (13.1%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that postoperative anticoagulation within 48 hours significantly reduced the risk of a captured thrombus (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08–0.94; P=0.032). CONCLUSION: A captured thrombus in preoperative IVCF was identified postoperatively in 16 patients (13.1%). Postoperative anticoagulation within 48 hours reduces the risk of captured thrombus in these cases.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Cerebral Microinfarcts after Carotid Endarterectomy and the Relevance of Delayed Cerebral Infarction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is performed to prevent cerebral infarction, but a common side effect is cerebral microinfarcts. This study aimed to identify the variables related to the production of microinfarcts during CEA as well as determine their association with delayed postoperative infarction. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of data collected prospectively from 548 patients who underwent CEA. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the incidence rates and causes of microinfarcts were analyzed. Microinfarcts were diagnosed by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of delayed postoperative infarction was compared between microinfarct-positive and microinfarct-negative groups. RESULTS: In total, 76 (13.86%) patients were diagnosed with microinfarcts. Preoperative neurological symptoms were significantly related to the incidence of microinfarcts [odds ratio (OR)=2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.72–5.00, p<0.001]. Shunt insertion during CEA was the only significant procedure-related risk factor (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.00–2.19, p=0.05). The presence of microinfarcts did not significantly increase the incidence of delayed postoperative infarction (p=0.204). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, risk factors for microinfarcts after CEA included preoperative symptoms and intraoperative shunt insertion. Microinfarcts were not associated with delayed postoperative infarction.

A new risk-scoring model for predicting 30-day mortality after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the era of endovascular procedures

PURPOSE: To propose a new, multivariable risk-scoring model for predicting 30-day mortality in individuals underwent repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). METHODS: Four hundred eighty-five consecutive patients who underwent AAA repair from January 2000 to December 2010 were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors, and a risk-scoring model was developed. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified three independent preoperative risk factors associated with mortality, and a risk-scoring model was created by assigning an equal value to each factor. The independent predictors were location of the AAA, rupture of AAA, and preoperative pulmonary dysfunction. The multivariable regression model demonstrated moderate discrimination (c statistic, 0.811) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, P = 0.793). The observed mortality rate did not differ significantly from that predicted by our risk-scoring model. CONCLUSION: Our risk-scoring model has excellent ability to predict 30-day mortality after AAA repair, and awaits validation in further studies.

A Retrospective 10-Year, Single-Institution Study of Carotid Endarterectomy with a Focus on Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study evaluated the outcome following surgery for carotid artery stenosis in a single institution during a 10-year period and the relevance of aging to access to surgery. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2010, 649 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) were performed in 596 patients for internal carotid artery occlusive disease at our institution; 596 patients received unilateral CEAs and 53 patients received bilateral CEAs. Data regarding patient characteristics, comorbidities, stroke, mortality, restenosis, and other surgical complications were obtained from a review of medical records. Since elderly and high-risk patients comprise a significant proportion of the patient group undergoing CEAs, differences in comorbidity and mortality were evaluated according to age when the patients were divided into three age groups: or =80 years. RESULTS: The mean age of the included patients was 67.5 years, and 88% were men. Symptomatic carotid stenosis was observed in 65.7% of patients. The rate of perioperative stroke and death (within 30 days of the procedure) was 1.84%. The overall mortality rate was higher among patients in the 70-79 years and >80 years age groups than among those in the <70 years age group, but there was no significant difference in stroke-related mortality among these three groups. CONCLUSIONS: CEA over a 10-year period has yielded acceptable outcomes in terms of stroke and mortality. Therefore, since CEA is a safe and effective strategy, it can be performed in elderly patients with acceptable life expectancy.

Clinical Outcomes of Cryopreserved Arterial Allograft Used as a Vascular Conduit for Hemodialysis

This single center cohort study aimed to test the hypothesis that use of a cryopreserved arterial allograft could avoid the maturation or healing process of a new vascular access and to evaluate the patency of this technique compared with that of vascular access using a prosthetic graft. Between April 2012 and March 2013, 20 patients underwent an upper arm vascular access using a cryopreserved arterial allograft for failed or failing vascular accesses and 53 using a prosthetic graft were included in this study. The mean duration of catheter dependence, calculated as the time interval from upper arm access placement to removal of the tunneled central catheter after successful cannulation of the access, was significantly longer for accesses using a prosthetic graft than a cryopreserved arterial allograft (34.4 ± 11.39 days vs. 4.9 ± 8.5 days, P < 0.001). In the allograft group, use of vascular access started within 7 days in 16 patients (80%), as soon as from the day of surgery in 10 patients. Primary (unassisted; P = 0.314) and cumulative (assisted; P = 0.673) access survivals were similar in the two groups. There were no postoperative complications related to the use of a cryopreserved iliac arterial allograft except for one patient who experienced wound hematoma. In conclusion, upper arm vascular access using a cryopreserved arterial allograft may permit immediate hemodialysis without the maturation or healing process, resulting in access survival comparable to that of an access using a prosthetic graft.

Clinical Outcomes of Cryopreserved Arterial Allograft Used as a Vascular Conduit for Hemodialysis

This single center cohort study aimed to test the hypothesis that use of a cryopreserved arterial allograft could avoid the maturation or healing process of a new vascular access and to evaluate the patency of this technique compared with that of vascular access using a prosthetic graft. Between April 2012 and March 2013, 20 patients underwent an upper arm vascular access using a cryopreserved arterial allograft for failed or failing vascular accesses and 53 using a prosthetic graft were included in this study. The mean duration of catheter dependence, calculated as the time interval from upper arm access placement to removal of the tunneled central catheter after successful cannulation of the access, was significantly longer for accesses using a prosthetic graft than a cryopreserved arterial allograft (34.4 ± 11.39 days vs. 4.9 ± 8.5 days, P < 0.001). In the allograft group, use of vascular access started within 7 days in 16 patients (80%), as soon as from the day of surgery in 10 patients. Primary (unassisted; P = 0.314) and cumulative (assisted; P = 0.673) access survivals were similar in the two groups. There were no postoperative complications related to the use of a cryopreserved iliac arterial allograft except for one patient who experienced wound hematoma. In conclusion, upper arm vascular access using a cryopreserved arterial allograft may permit immediate hemodialysis without the maturation or healing process, resulting in access survival comparable to that of an access using a prosthetic graft.

Impact of a preoperative evaluation on the outcomes of an arteriovenous fistula

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the possible predictors of primary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure and examine the impact of a preoperative evaluation on AVF outcomes. METHODS: A total of 539 patients who underwent assessment for a suitable site for AVF creation by physical examination alone or additional duplex ultrasound were included in this study. Demographics, patient characteristics, and AVF outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: AVF creation was proposed in 469 patients (87.0%) according to physical examination alone (351 patients) or additional duplex ultrasound (118 patients); a prosthetic arteriovenous graft was initially placed in the remaining 70 patients (13.0%). Although the primary failure rate was significantly higher in patients assessed by duplex ultrasound (P = 0.001), ultrasound information changed the clinical plan, increasing AVF use for dialysis, in 92 of the 188 patients (48.9%) with an insufficient physical examination. Female sex and diabetes mellitus were risk factors significantly associated with primary AVF failure. Because of different inclusion criteria and a lack of adjustment for baseline differences, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed better AVF outcomes in patients assessed by physical examination alone; an insufficient physical examination was the only risk factor significantly associated with AVF outcomes. CONCLUSION: Routine use of duplex ultrasound is not necessary in chronic kidney disease patients with a satisfactory physical examination. Given that female gender and diabetes mellitus are significantly associated with primary AVF failure, duplex ultrasound could be of particular benefit in these subtypes of patients without a sufficient physical examination.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm in giant cell arteritis

Aortic complications of giant cell arteritis are a rare cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Here, we describe a case of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in a patient with giant call arteritis (GCA) who was preoperatively suspected of having an infectious aortic aneurysm. Intraoperative inspection revealed infectious granulation tissue on the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta. GCA was finally confirmed by pathological diagnosis. Our findings suggest that the surgical and postoperative treatment of nonatheromatous aortic aneurysm should be based on accurate diagnosis.

Clinical outcomes of staged bilateral carotid endarterectomy for bilateral carotid artery stenosis

PURPOSE: This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of staged bilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis performed with a short interval between the primary and secondary CEA procedures. METHODS: In our institution, 574 consecutive patients underwent CEA between September 2007 and August 2014. Bilateral significant ICA stenosis was identified in 43 patients (7.5%) who underwent staged bilateral CEA within 30 days or less. Patients with unilateral CEA and staged bilateral CEA were compared in terms of CEA outcomes. The primary endpoint was the composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the periprocedural period or ipsilateral stroke within 3 years after the CEA. RESULTS: Staged bilateral CEA was not associated with ipsilateral stroke (P = 0.178) during postoperative follow-up. The two groups did not differ in terms of estimated 3-year primary endpoint rates (2.8% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.456) or ipsilateral stroke-free (P = 0.225), any stroke-free (P = 0.326), or overall (P = 0.739) survival rates. CONCLUSION: Patients with bilateral significant ICA stenosis can undergo staged bilateral CEA within 30 days or less with outcomes that compare favorably with those of patients undergoing unilateral CEA.

Impact of graft composition on the systemic inflammatory response after an elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and the role of graft material in the development of an acute phase systemic inflammatory response, and the clinical outcome in patients who undergo endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or open surgical repair (OSR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the risk factors and the role of graft material in an increased risk of developing systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and the clinical outcome in patients who underwent EVAR or OSR of an AAA. RESULTS: A total of 308 consecutive patients who underwent AAA repair were included; 178 received EVAR and 130 received OSR. There was no significant difference in the incidence of SIRS between EVAR patients and OSR patients. Regardless of treatment modality, SIRS was observed more frequently in patients treated with woven polyester grafts. Postoperative hospitalization was significantly prolonged in patients that experienced SIRS. In multivariate analyses, the initial white blood cell count (P = 0.001) and the use of woven polyester grafts (P = 0.005) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing SIRS in patients who underwent EVAR. By contrast, the use of woven polyester grafts was the only factor associated with an increased risk of developing SIRS in patients who underwent OSR, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.052). CONCLUSION: The current study shows that the graft composition plays a primordial role in the development of SIRS, and it leads to prolonged hospitalization in both EVAR and OSR patients.

Clinical outcome of early relaparotomy after elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the association of need for early relaparotomy with clinical outcomes after elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: A total of 292 consecutive patients who underwent elective open AAA repair at Asan Medical Center from January 2001 to December 2010 were included in this study, and we compared the demographics, clinical characteristics, related risk factors, and clinical outcomes of early relaparotomy versus nonrelaparotomy patients. RESULTS: The incidence of early relaparotomy during a single hospital stay was 4.1% (n = 12), and the most common causes were bowel ischemia (n = 5, 41.7%) and postoperative bleeding (n = 3, 25.0%). Among the demographics and clinical characteristics significantly associated with relaparotomy were: age (P = 0.025), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P = 0.010), number of RBC units transfused during the AAA repair (P = 0.022) and in the following week (P = 0.005), and length of intensive care (P < 0.001) and overall hospital stay (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, presence of COPD (P = 0.009) and number of RBC units transfused during the AAA repair (P = 0.006) were statistically significantly associated with relaparotomy. Furthermore, early relaparotomy was associated with perioperative (within 30 days) (P = 0.048) and overall in-hospital mortality (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Early relaparotomy has an adverse effect on clinical outcomes: increased mortality and hospital length of stay. Presence of COPD and need for RBC transfusion are associated with early relaparotomy.

Renal autotransplantation in open surgical repair of suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm

Although the standard treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm has shifted from open surgery to endovascular repair, open surgery has remained the standard of care for complex aneurysms involving the visceral arteries and in patients unsuitable for endovascular aneurysm repair. Postoperative renal insufficiency may occur after open surgical repair of suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods of minimizing renal ischemic injury include aortic cross-clamping and renal reconstruction techniques. This report describes the use of renal autotransplantation for renal reconstruction during open surgical repair of a suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. This technique was successful, suggesting its feasibility for open suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, minimizing renal ischemic injury and optimizing postoperative renal function.

Use of cryopreserved cadaveric arterial allograft as a vascular conduit for peripheral arterial graft infection

Major peripheral arterial graft infection is a potentially devastating complication of vascular surgery, associated with significant mortality and high amputation rates. Autologous saphenous veins are considered optimal arterial conduits for lower extremity revascularization in infected fields, but they are often unavailable or unsuitable in these patients. This study describes two patients with major peripheral graft infection, but without available autologous veins, who underwent graft excision and cryopreserved cadaveric arterial allograft reconstruction. Although long-term graft durability is unclear because of gradual deterioration and degeneration, these findings suggest that cadaveric allografts may be good options for patients with major peripheral graft infection.