Single-stage management of abdominal aortic aneurysm and colon carcinoma.

We report two cases in which concurrent abdominal aortic aneurysm and colon carcinoma were treated in the same surgical procedure. In the first case both lesions were detected preoperatively but were uncomplicated. Single-stage treatment was undertaken electively. In the second case the colonic lesion was found during treatment of the aneurysm and both lesions were complicated. The decision to undertake single-stage treatment was made intraoperatively. Recovery was uneventful in both cases. Based on previous case reports and our experience in these two patients, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of single-stage management. The principal risk is prosthetic infection. The advantages include avoidance of complications of the unoperated lesion and the ability to manage both lesions with only one operation. With a two-staged approach, complications following the first procedure and/or progression of the unoperated lesion may prohibit the second procedure. Despite the successful outcome in our patients, we recommend using single-stage management only in selected cases.

Distal bypass for limb salvage: comparative study in patients below and above 80 years of age.

Revascularization for chronic lower extremity ischemia in patients of 80 years and older is controversial. To better define operative risk and outcome after peripheral vascular procedures in the elderly, our experience from January 1990 to December 1992 was reviewed. We compared two groups of patients: group I with 26 patients (28 revascularizations) 80 years of age and older (84 +/- 3 years) and group II with 29 patients (32 revascularizations) younger than 80 years (70 +/- 8 year). The two groups were similar with regard to risk factors, surgical indication (rest pain and/or gangrene) and type of graft (in situ vein: 35, reversed vein: 12, PTFE: 13). Fourteen femoro-popliteal bypasses, 17 femoro-tibial bypasses (8 to the anterior tibial artery and 9 to the posterior tibial artery) and 29 femoro-peroneal bypasses were performed. The operative mortality rate was 11.5% in group I and 6.9% in group II. The cumulative life-table survival rate at 24 months was 39.5% in group I and 55% in group II. Primary patency rate at 24 months was 64% in group I and 67% in group II. Secondary patency rate at 24 months was 74.5% in group I and 73% in group II. Limb salvage at 24 months was 80% in group I and 83% in group II. Comparison of the older and younger groups showed no statistically significant difference in mortality rate, graft patency and limb salvage. Operative mortality and graft patency were not different with regard to age of patients.

Aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery associated with stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery.

A 68-year-old patient was hospitalized after the incidental discovery of an aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery associated with stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. This patient had severe heart failure, which led to acute pulmonary edema and inoperable triple-vessel coronary disease. In the first of two procedures the superior mesenteric artery was dilated; 48 hours later the gastroduodenal artery aneurysm was embolized with minicoils and acryl glue. Immediate and follow-up arteriograms at 10 months showed that results were satisfactory. Transluminal treatment of both lesions is an alternative to surgical treatment, especially in high-risk patients.

[Bilateral stenosis of the renal arteries: multiple bypasses]. / Sténoses bilatérales des artères rénales: pontages multiples.

Bilateral ostial renal arterial stenoses are in fact atheromatous lesions of the aortic wall. These anatomic features must be considered for the treatment of such lesions. It can be achieved by bilateral renal bypass grafting with the concomitant replacement of the aorta when necessary. This combined surgery carries a certain operative risk, which has been notably lowered with the recent advances in anaesthesiology and intensive care. We consider this combined renal and aortic surgery is easier and safer than transaortic endarterectomy.

[Renal artery occlusion: surgical revascularization]. / Occlusion de l'artère rénale: revascularisation chirurgicale.

Five patients were treated for renal artery occlusion, as a result of embolism (2 patients), thrombosis of a stenosed vessel (1 patient) or acute occlusion during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (2 patients). Three patients had poorly controlled hypertension. One patient was anuric. Patients were treated operatively in 4 cases and non operatively in 1 case. There were no death and no renal failure that necessitated chronic hemodialysis. All bypasses except one remained patent. Blood pressure increased in the patient with the bypass occlusion and was reduced in all four other patients. Renal artery occlusion does not necessarily cause renal infarction. Evaluation of renal viability is necessary before decision of revascularization. Surgical exploration seems the best predictive factor.

Aortoiliac surgery and kidney transplantation.

Between January 1980 and December 1989, we performed 407 renal transplantations. Twelve of these patients (3%) underwent aortoiliac reconstruction before (Group I, two patients), concomitant to (Group II, five patients) or after (Group III, five patients) renal transplantation. The aortoiliac lesions treated included four aneurysms and seven occlusions of the abdominal aorta and one postarteriography dissection of the iliac artery. A prosthetic graft was inserted in nine cases (75%). Endarterectomy was performed in the three other cases (25%). Four of five patients in Group III were operated on without any particular protection for the transplant. There were no postoperative deaths in Groups I and III. In Group II, one patient died of infection secondary to a urinary tract fistula. Early and late vascular morbidity (renal artery stenosis, occlusion of aortoiliac reconstruction, anastomotic false aneurysm) occurred with equal frequency in the three groups. Renal transplantation in patients having already undergone aortoiliac surgery and, conversely, aortoiliac reconstruction in the renal transplant patient, are possible without any particular technical precautions with minimal mortality and kidney morbidity. Simultaneous renal transplantation and aortoiliac reconstruction carries a significant risk of infection and a two-stage procedure should be considered in this situation.