Reconstruction for Symptomatic Vertebral Artery Lesion Using Vertebral Artery to Carotid Artery Transposition: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: A posterior circulation infarction is caused by a vertebral artery (VA) lesion (stenosis or occlusion). The purpose of this study is to assess early and long-term outcomes after open surgery for a VA lesion at the origin. METHODS: In a retrospective study conducted from January 1, 2000 through March 31, 2020 in a single center, patients were treated with vertebral artery to carotid artery transposition (VCT). RESULTS: A total of 28 patients, with a mean age of 65.29 ± 9.81 years (range 45-84), were screened, including 22 patients with VA stenosis and 6 patients with VA occlusion. The complication rate was 21.4% (n = 6), including Horner syndrome (n = 2), lymphocele (n = 1), respiratory failure (n = 1), embolism of a subclavian artery stenosis (n = 1), and vocal cord paralysis (n = 1). The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Primary patency was 100%. Overall, improvement in symptoms was 85.7% (n = 24) after surgery and 96.4% after 30 days. In the long-term results, primary patency was 100%, and the cumulative patency rate after 60 months was 85.7%, with 1 occlusion of the VA. Cumulative survival rates were 94%, 87%, 69%, and 59% after 12, 24, 60, and 72 months (n = 5). One of the 3 patients died after 60 months because of VA occlusion and posterior circulation infarction. CONCLUSIONS: VCT is a safe, effective, and durable procedure. It provides good stroke protection, symptomatic relief, and perioperative risk at acceptable levels, in experienced hands.

Contemporary Surgical Management of Aberrant Right Subclavian Arteries (Arteria Lusoria).

BACKGROUND: An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is in most cases an asymptomatic aortic arch anomaly. However, dysphagia, aneurysm formation (ARSAA), associated Kommerell diverticulum, or cerebellar/arm malperfusion may require invasive therapy. Large-scale clinical trials do not exist in current literature. We report our patient's outcome of a single-center experience and delineate indications for treatment and surgical techniques. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted between January 1, 2012 through March 1, 2018. Symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with ARSAA who received invasive treatment at the Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Dusseldorf, Germany were included. RESULTS: Eight patients (4 men, 63 ± 14 (39-78) years) were treated with single-stage (n = 4) or multistage (n = 4) procedures. Treatment for ARSAA (n = 4) included ARSA revascularization (subclavian-carotid transposition (SCT) = 3; carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) = 1), aortic arch debranching (left SCT = 2, bilateral aorto-carotid bypass + left CSB = 1, right-to-left CSB + left-carotid-to-bypass transposition = 1), and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR; n = 4). Other strategies included SCT for dysphagia (n = 2) or subclavian steal syndrome (n = 1) and balloon angioplasty for arm claudication (n = 1). Complications involved vascular access (n = 2) and each one partial common carotid artery overstenting without stroke during TEVAR and Horner syndrome after SCT. Mean follow-up was 23 ± 26 (9-67) months. After 7 months, 1 patient required vertebral artery coiling due to type II endoleak with ARSAA progression. Overall mortality was 0%. Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical concepts for ARSA aim on preventing aneurysm rupture and alleviate dysphagia or ischemic symptoms. To generate satisfying patient outcomes, individualized therapy planning in specialized centers is vital.

The JOTEC iliac branch device for exclusion of hypogastric artery aneurysms: ABRAHAM study.

OBJECTIVE: Hypogastric artery aneurysms (HAAs) are rare but life-threatening in cases of rupture. Open or endovascular techniques traditionally aimed at occluding the hypogastric artery (HA) have considerable risk of pelvic ischemia. Iliac branch devices (IBDs) are indicated for aortoiliac aneurysms; however, they have also been used lately for HAAs. Currently, there are no reports about patient outcomes focusing on HAA therapy using IBDs. We retrospectively analyzed early and midterm outcomes using IBDs for HAAs. METHODS: Patients who received IBDs for HAAs at our department from January 1, 2012, through March 1, 2018, were included. Exclusion criteria were as follows: no HA involvement, emergency procedures, and HA stent grafting without IBD. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: There were 18 IBDs (only IBD, n = 4; IBD + endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR], n = 7; IBD ± EVAR + side branch occlusion, n = 7) implanted into 14 male patients (76 ± 4 [70-83] years). There were no intraoperative complications, and the technical success rate was 100%. After 19 ± 11 (2-39) months of follow-up, two hybrid (external iliac artery occlusion, n = 1; EVAR graft kinking, n = 1) and four endovascular reinterventions due to two type IB (side branch coiling + stent graft extension) and two type IIIB (stent grafting) endoleaks were required. One IBD-related type II endoleak revealed constant aneurysm diameters during follow-up. One small type IB endoleak was self-limited. Estimated freedom from reintervention was 31% ± 23% at 2.7 years. The clinical success and patency rate was 100%. The IBD-related mortality was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The IBD for HAA shows good early and midterm results. Adequate sealing of HA landing zones and side branch occlusion are technically challenging but crucial to prevent type IB and type II endoleaks.

Acute Limb Ischemia-Much More Than Just a Lack of Oxygen.

Acute ischemia of an extremity occurs in several stages, a lack of oxygen being the primary contributor of the event. Although underlying patho-mechanisms are similar, it is important to determine whether it is an acute or chronic event. Healthy tissue does not contain enlarged collaterals, which are formed in chronically malperfused tissue and can maintain a minimum supply despite occlusion. The underlying processes for enhanced collateral blood flow are sprouting vessels from pre-existing vessels (via angiogenesis) and a lumen extension of arterioles (via arteriogenesis). While disturbed flow patterns with associated local low shear stress upregulate angiogenesis promoting genes, elevated shear stress may trigger arteriogenesis due to increased blood volume. In case of an acute ischemia, especially during the reperfusion phase, fluid transfer occurs into the tissue while the vascular bed is simultaneously reduced and no longer reacts to vaso-relaxing factors such as nitric oxide. This process results in an exacerbative cycle, in which increased peripheral resistance leads to an additional lack of oxygen. This whole process is accompanied by an inundation of inflammatory cells, which amplify the inflammatory response by cytokine release. However, an extremity is an individual-specific composition of different tissues, so these processes may vary dramatically between patients. The image is more uniform when broken down to the single cell stage. Because each cell is dependent on energy produced from aerobic respiration, an event of acute hypoxia can be a life-threatening situation. Aerobic processes responsible for yielding adenosine triphosphate (ATP), such as the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, suffer first, thus disrupting the integrity of cellular respiration. One consequence of this is irreparable damage of the cell membrane due to an imbalance of electrolytes. The eventual increase in net fluid influx associated with a decrease in intracellular pH is considered an end-stage event. Due to the lack of ATP, individual cell organelles can no longer sustain their activity, thus initiating the cascade pathways of apoptosis via the release of cytokines such as the BCL2 associated X protein (BAX). As ischemia may lead to direct necrosis, inflammatory processes are further aggravated. In the case of reperfusion, the flow of nascent oxygen will cause additional damage to the cell, further initiating apoptosis in additional surrounding cells. In particular, free oxygen radicals are formed, causing severe damage to cell membranes and desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). However, the increased tissue stress caused by this process may be transient, as radical scavengers may attenuate the damage. Taking the above into final consideration, it is clearly elucidated that acute ischemia and subsequent reperfusion is a process that leads to acute tissue damage combined with end-organ loss of function, a condition that is difficult to counteract.

Reconstruction for renal artery aneurysms using the tailoring technique.

OBJECTIVE: Renal artery (RA) aneurysm (RAA) is a rare and complex disease. Treatment options for a RAA include endovascular surgery and open surgery with ex vivo repair or in situ reconstruction. This study evaluated the long-term outcome after vascular reconstruction of RAAs using the tailoring technique. Tailoring or aneurysmorrhaphy means a partial resection of the aneurysm with direct suture of the remaining arterial wall. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted between January 1990 and December 2015. The tailoring technique was used to surgically repair 88 RAAs in 80 patients (52 women) with a mean age of 52.9 years. Patients' demographic data, vascular therapy, and renal function during follow-up were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The localization of the RAA was at the right kidney in 58 patients. The mean size of the aneurysm was 21.4 ± 9.7 mm (range, 8-67 mm). Hypertension was diagnosed in 56 patients, and 23 were asymptomatic. One RAA was ruptured. The overall morbidity rate was 16.3%, including bleeding (n = 4), RA stenosis (n = 3), RA occlusion (n = 4), RA dissection (n = 1), and myocardial infarction (n = 1). One patient died of myocardial infarction for a 30-day mortality rate of 1.3%. The 30-day primary patency rate was 90.0%. The 30-day secondary patency rate was 95.0%. Follow-up data were obtained from 71 patients who underwent tailoring in 78 RAAs. The mean follow-up period was 60.7 months (range 2-229 months). In 76.4% of patients with RAA and hypertension, RAA reconstruction contributed to the cure or improvement of hypertension. The long-term patency after RAA reconstruction was demonstrated in a Kaplan-Meier curve, with cumulative patency rates of 98.7%, 97.4%, 94.8%, and 92.3% after 18, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Estimated survival rates were 98.8%, 97.5%, and 96.3% after 12, 48, and 60 months, with an estimated mean time of 216.5 ± 7.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: The tailoring technique is a safe and effective procedure with good long-term outcomes. RAA reconstruction contributed to the cure or improvement of renovascular hypertension.

Open Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Young Boy with Tuberous Sclerosis and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are very rare in pediatric patients and can rarely be associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS). Open surgery is the first-line therapy. We report our experience added by a review on current literature. CASE REPORT: A 9-year-old boy with TS and history of 2 earlier open repairs for AAA presented to our department with a recurrent juxtarenal aortic aneurysm. We performed a polytetraflourethylene patch plasty. Postoperative course was uneventful. After 8 months, reconstruction was stable, and no recurrent aneurysm developed. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent aneurysms may develop after open surgery for TS-associated AAA. However, open surgery is the recommended therapy but requires special techniques and experience in pediatric patients.

Outcomes after Open Surgery for Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) are rare clinical entities with an exaggerated inflammatory component. The aim of this study is to report outcomes of a single-center 10-year experience in open surgical management of IAAA and to compare the results with noninflammatory, atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms (non-IAAAs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients with IAAA selected out of patients with AAA who underwent open surgery in the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the University Hospital Dusseldorf from January 2006 to December 2015. These patients were matched with controls, selected from a prospectively retained database of patients with AAA undergoing open surgery during the study period. A 1:2 case-control match regarding age, gender, and year of treatment was performed. We analyzed both groups for preoperative parameters, intraoperative findings, and early postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The 2 groups showed considerable similarities with no significant differences in the clinical features. Both groups outlined comparable aneurysm size (62 vs. 56 mm); however, the mean preoperative C-reactive protein was found to be significantly elevated in the study group (mean value: 2.6 vs. 0.9 mg/dL, P < 0.05). Most patients were operated using a standard transperitoneal median laparotomy approach; only 1 patient of each group was operated using a left retroperitoneal approach. There was no significant difference in operation time (190 vs. 194 min) and 30-day mortality 0%. The in-hospital mortality was 11% in the study group and 0% in the control group. We found a significant higher complication rate in the study group 10 (56%) vs. 12 (33%). The major complications were also more frequent in the study group 4 (22%) vs. 6 (16.7%). IAAA showed a statistically significant longer length of intensive care unit and hospital stay when compared with non-IAAA (7 and 20 days vs. 2 and 14 days, P < 0.05). IAAAs outlined a significantly greater transfusion requirement for erythrocytes and fresh frozen plasma than non-IAAA. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical treatment of IAAA guarantees a regression of the inflammatory process in most patients, which was detected through ultrasound in follow-up examination, although the approach to the surgical site is highly demanding. IAAA exhibits clear gender predominance and is associated with significantly higher transfusion requirement, early morbidity, and length of stay.

Retrograde Aortomesenteric Bypass with Left Retrorenal Route-"French Bypass" in 16 Cases of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: There are several options for treating patients suffering from chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). One possibility contains bypass grafting following a left renal route to avoid inter alia kinking of the bypass. This study reviews the results of 16 patients suffering from CMI treated with this bypass technique, called "French Bypass" (FB). METHODS: A retrospective study conducted between June 1, 2002, and December 31, 2015. Sixteen patients were included with an average age of 54.6 years (10 women) who were treated with FB. Risk factors, surgical course, and follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Average stay in hospital took 28.4 days, with mostly minor complications occurring. Overall, 4 cases of FB occlusion were diagnosed in between 30 days after surgery, of which 3 made interventions necessary. Primary patency rates were 75%/56%/56% after 12/24/60 months. Overall survival rate after 60 month was 78%. CONCLUSIONS: The FB is a sufficient option for treatment of CMI combining advantages of anterograde and retrograde bypass grafting, with comparable outcome to established techniques in visceral vessel reconstruction.

Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: Patient Outcomes Using Open Surgical Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is a rare disease. Open treatment (OT) remains a valuable treatment option. We analyzed patient outcomes after OT and investigated health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Data were analyzed retrospectively. The investigation period was from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2014. We investigated mortality and patency rates using Kaplan-Meier analysis. HRQoL was measured using a 36-item health survey. Various statistical methods were employed. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (celiac trunk [TC: n = 23], superior mesenteric artery [SMA: n = 26], or both [n = 51]) were included. Median follow-up was 5 ± 35 months. One-year survival rate for TC was 75 ± 11%, for SMA: 79 ± 10%, and for both: 96 ± 3%. TC 5-year survival was 75 ± 11% (SMA: 57 ± 16%: both: 80 ± 8%). Obesity and the length of hospital stay were independently associated with patient survival (p < 0.05). Primary 1-year patency rate was 60 ± 13% for TC (SMA: 86 ± 10%; both: 71 ± 8%) and secondary 1-year patency rate was 84 ± 9% for TC (SMA: 100%; both: 79 ± 7%). HRQoL was inferior compared to the German normative data (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CMI overlaps between gastrointestinal and vascular surgery. OT is safe, and simultaneous revascularization of the TC and the SMA does not affect mortality. Patients would not necessarily benefit from OT in terms of HRQoL.

Open vascular treatment of median arcuate ligament syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare condition with abdominal symptoms. Accepted treatment options are open release of median arcuate ligament, laparoscopic release of edian arcuate ligament, robot-assisted release of median arcuate ligament and open vascular treatment. Here we aimed to evaluate the central priority of open vascular therapy in the treatment of median arcuate ligament syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study between January 1996 and June 2016. Thirty-one patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome underwent open vascular surgery, including division of median arcuate ligament in 17 cases, and vascular reconstruction of the celiac artery in 14 cases. RESULTS: In a 20-year period, 31 patients (n = 26 women, n = 5 men) were treated with division of median arcuate ligament (n = 17) or vascular reconstruction in combination with division of median arcuate ligament (n = 14). The mean age of patients was 44.8 ± 15.13 years. The complication rate was 16.1% (n = 5). Revisions were performed in 4 cases. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. The mean in-hospital stay was 10.7 days. Follow-up data were obtained for 30 patients. The mean follow-up period was 52.2 months (range 2-149 months). Patients were grouped into a decompression group (n = 17) and revascularisation group (n = 13). The estimated Freedom From Symptoms rates were 93.3, 77.8, and 69.1% for the decompression group and 100, 83.3, and 83.3% for the revascularisation group after 12, 24 and 60 months respectively. We found no significant difference in the Freedom From Re-Intervention CA rates of the decompression (100% at 12, 24 and 60 months post-surgery) and revascularisation (100% at 12 months, and 91.7% at 24 and 60 months post-surgery) groups during follow-up (p = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Open vascular treatment of median arcuate ligament syndrome is a safe, low mortality-risk procedure, with low morbidity rate. Treatment choice depends on the clinical and morphological situation of each patient.

Implantation of an Iliac Branch Device After EVAR via a Femoral Approach Using a Steerable Sheath.

PURPOSE: To describe a contralateral femoral approach for iliac branch device implantation using a steerable sheath in the setting of an existing bifurcated stent-graft. TECHNIQUE: The method is demonstrated in an 80-year-old man who developed a 4-cm iliac aneurysm 3 years after implantation of an Endurant bifurcated stent-graft. Both femoral arteries were cannulated after surgical cutdown. The steerable sheath was advanced from the contralateral side over the neobifurcation of the bifurcated stent-graft. A 0.014-inch Roadrunner wire was used as a through-and-through wire to stabilize the curve of the sheath and to get proper push. The bridging stent-graft for the iliac branch was advanced over this sheath to seal the iliac aneurysm. During the entire procedure, the sheath was stable over the neobifurcation without pulling it down. CONCLUSION: The contralateral femoral approach for iliac branch graft implantation is feasible in cases with an extant bifurcated stent-graft using a steerable sheath and a through-and-through wire.

Subclavian carotid transposition: immediate and long-term outcomes of 126 surgical reconstructions.

BACKGROUND: Subclavian carotid transposition (SCT) is a safe, effective, and durable treatment in atherosclerotic disease of the proximal subclavian artery. We report about our experience in SCT in a retrospective study with a long-term outcome in 126 cases and discuss our results with the current literature. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2013, we treated 126 patients (51 men, 75 women; mean age, 60.9 years; range, 25-80 years) for proximal subclavian atherosclerotic lesions. Preoperative angiography revealed 58 stenoses (46.0%) and 68 occlusions (54.0%). We performed 126 SCTs. The following parameters were documented through a retrospective chart review: demographic data, occlusion site, preoperative symptoms, cardiovascular risk profile, coexisting cerebrovascular disease, and postoperative outcome. Continuous variables are summarized as mean. Categoric variables are expressed as frequency and percentage. Survival and patency rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Four immediate occlusions and 1 hemodynamic relevant stenosis (4.0%) occurred postoperatively. Thrombectomy was successful in 2 and a carotid axillary bypass was performed in 3 cases. Three strokes occurred, one during concomitant carotid endarterectomy. The 30-day mortality was 0%. Follow-up data were obtained on 106 of 126 patients (84.0%). The mean follow-up period was 53.8 months (range, 3-159 months). Twenty-three (18.3%) late deaths occurred. Estimated survival was 121.48 ± 6.86 months (range, 3-112 months). Ninety-five percent reported continuous resolution of symptoms. Primary patency rate was 96.0% and secondary patency rate was 100% at 30 days. The long-term patency rate was 96.3% at a mean follow-up of 53.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: SCT is safe, effective, and durable in the long term. SCT is a standard procedure for occlusion and stenosis. Vessel occlusions, ineffective angioplasty, and preparation for thoracic stent grafting make SCT an important procedure in the surgeon's repertoire.

The Comparison of Endovascular and Open Surgical Treatment for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Terms of Safety and Efficacy on the Basis of a Single-Center 30-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is a critical condition with a high mortality rate. Over the years, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has evolved as a viable treatment option in addition to open repair (OR). The primary objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of EVAR and OR for the treatment of rAAA based on a comprehensive analysis of our single-centre 30-year experience. METHODS: Patients treated for rAAA at the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2022 were included. Relevant information was retrieved from archived medical records. Patient survival and surgery-related complications were analysed. RESULTS: None of the patient-specific markers, emergency department-associated parameters, and co-morbidities were associated with patient survival. The 30-day and in-hospital mortality was higher in the OR group vs. in the EVAR group (50% vs. 8.7% and 57.1% vs. 13%, respectively). OR was associated with more frequent occurrence of more severe complications when compared to EVAR. Overall patient survival was 56 ± 5% at 12 months post-surgery (52 ± 6% for OR vs. 73 ± 11% for EVAR, respectively) (p < 0.05). Patients ≥70 years of age showed poorer survival in the OR group, with a 12-month survival of 42 ± 7% vs. 70 ± 10% for patients <70 years of age (p < 0.05). In the EVAR group, this age-related survival advantage was not found (12-month survival: ≥70 years: 67 ± 14%, <70 years: 86 ± 13%). Gender-specific survival was similar regardless of the applied method of care. CONCLUSION: OR was associated with more severe complications in our study. EVAR initially outperformed OR for rAAA regarding patient survival while re-interventions following EVAR negatively affect survival in the long-term. Elderly patients should be treated with EVAR. Gender does not seem to have a significant impact on survival.

Gene Therapy of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: Vascular Medical Perspectives.

A decade ago, gene therapy seemed to be a promising approach for the treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischemia, providing new perspectives for patients without conventional, open or endovascular therapeutic options by potentially enabling neo-angiogenesis. Yet, until now, the results have been far from a safe and routine clinical application. In general, there are two approaches for inserting exogenous genes in a host genome: transduction and transfection. In case of transduction, viral vectors are used to introduce genes into cells, and depending on the selected strain of the virus, a transient or stable duration of protein production can be achieved. In contrast, the transfection of DNA is transmitted by chemical or physical processes such as lipofection, electro- or sonoporation. Relevant risks of gene therapy may be an increasing neo-vascularization in undesired tissue. The risks of malignant transformation and inflammation are the potential drawbacks. Additionally, atherosclerotic plaques can be destabilized by the increased angiogenesis, leading to arterial thrombosis. Clinical trials from pilot studies to Phase II and III studies on angiogenic gene therapy show mainly a mixed picture of positive and negative final results; thus, the role of gene therapy in vascular occlusive disease remains unclear.

European guidelines on chronic mesenteric ischaemia - joint United European Gastroenterology, European Association for Gastroenterology, Endoscopy and Nutrition, European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology, Netherlands Association of Hepatogastroenterologists, Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, and Dutch Mesenteric Ischemia Study group clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic mesenteric ischaemia.

Chronic mesenteric ischaemia is a severe and incapacitating disease, causing complaints of post-prandial pain, fear of eating and weight loss. Even though chronic mesenteric ischaemia may progress to acute mesenteric ischaemia, chronic mesenteric ischaemia remains an underappreciated and undertreated disease entity. Probable explanations are the lack of knowledge and awareness among physicians and the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test. The underappreciation of this disease results in diagnostic delays, underdiagnosis and undertreating of patients with chronic mesenteric ischaemia, potentially resulting in fatal acute mesenteric ischaemia. This guideline provides a comprehensive overview and repository of the current evidence and multidisciplinary expert agreement on pertinent issues regarding diagnosis and treatment, and provides guidance in the multidisciplinary field of chronic mesenteric ischaemia.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome: vascular surgical therapy and follow-up of 18 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) or celiac artery compression syndrome is a rare vascular disorder caused by an extrinsic compression of the celiac artery from the median arcuate ligament, prominent fibrous bands, and ganglionic periaortic tissue. Clinical symptoms are postprandial abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, unintentional weight loss, and sometimes, abdominal pain during body exercise caused by an intermittent visceral ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the operative management of patients with MALS in our institution, especially in consideration of various vascular reconstructive techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2000 and January 2009, a total of 341 patients were treated in our department for vascular pathologies of the visceral arteries (225 chronic visceral ischaemia, 84 acute visceral ischaemia, and 14 visceral artery aneurysms). In a retrospective study of 18 patients with MALS, the records, clinical symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical procedures were compiled. This was completed by a reassessment for a follow-up. RESULTS: A MALS was diagnosed in 15 female (83.3%) and three male (16.7%) patients. The mean patient age was 46.2 years (range 20-68 years). The diagnosis of MALS was based on a radiological analysis in all patients by a digitally subtracted angiogram, but duplex ultrasound was used lately more frequently to study the influence of respiration on the stenotic degree of the celiac trunk. All 18 patients were treated with open surgery in an elective situation. Due to the local and specific pathology of the celiac trunk with a fixed stricture or stenosis, out of 18 cases beside decompression, 11 (primary, seven; secondary, four patients) further procedures were performed on the celiac artery (aorto-celiac vein interposition n = 6, aorto-hepatic vein interposition n = 1, resection of the celiac artery and end-to-end anastomosis n = 2, patchplasty of the celiac artery with vein n = 1, and transaortic removal of a stent of the celiac artery n = 1) Follow-up was obtained in 15 patients (83.33%) with a mean duration after surgery of about three and a half years (40.68 months, range from 2 to 102 months). Eleven of the 15 patients (73.33%) were completely free of abdominal symptoms, and nine of them had gained between 3 and 10 kg in weight after surgery. The weight of two patients remained stable. Of the 11 patients with a successful outcome in the follow-up, six of them had undergone decompression solely. In the other five patients, vascular co-procedures on the celiac trunk had been performed. CONCLUSIONS: The MALS is a rare vascular disorder caused by an extrinsic compression of the celiac artery and induces upper abdominal, mostly, postprandial pain. A definite diagnosis of MALS can be achieved by lateral aortography of the visceral aorta and its branches during inspiration and expiration. Open surgical therapy is a safe and reliable procedure with no mortality and low morbidity. As to the local and specific pathology of the celiac trunk after decompression with fixed stricture or stenosis, further vascular procedures are necessary. The long-time follow-up seemed adequate. The laparoscopic approach reduces the procedure of decompression only, something which seemed inadequate for most cases. Endovascular treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and insertion of a stent does not solve the underlying problem of extrinsic compression of the celiac trunk and often requires open procedures during the long-term course. Due to the low incidence of MALS, no guidelines will do justice to all the patients sufficiently, and the choice of treatment must depend on the specific clinical situation for each patient.

Visceral artery aneurysms--follow-up of 23 patients with 31 aneurysms after surgical or interventional therapy.

PURPOSE: Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) are rare forms of vascular pathology, with an incidence of 0.1% to 0.2% in routine autopsies. They frequently present as a life-threatening, often fatal, emergency, if associated with rupture and intra- or retroperitoneal bleeding. The clinical symptoms, natural history, and mortality of VAAs vary depending on the vessels involved. The mortality rates range from 8.5% up to 25% and, in pregnant women, up to 75%. A retrospective analysis of all VAAs diagnosed at our institution from 1991 to 2006 was performed. The presentation, management, and outcome of therapy was evaluated for each patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (12 men, 11 women, mean age 55.8 years) with 31 VAAs were identified. The anatomical involvement concerned seven regions: celiac (CT) nine, superior mesenteric (SMA) seven, splenic (SA) five, hepatic (HA) six, gastroduodenal (GDA) two, pancreatoduodenal (PDA) one, and one branch of the superior mesenteric artery. Fourteen patients presented symptoms attributable to their aneurysms, which included a total of four ruptures. Nine patients had no symptoms. The etiology of VAAs was atherosclerosis (67.8%), mycotic embolization (12.9%), trauma (9.7%), Marfan Syndrome (3.2%), Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (3.2%), and giant cell arteritis (3.2%). Open surgery was performed for 29 aneurysm in 21 patients: partial resection and tailoring in 13 cases (41.9%), resection of the aneurysm with additional autologous vein graft interposition in nine cases and prosthetic graft interposition in 2 cases (35.5%), aneurysm exclusion by ligation in three cases (9.6%) and aneurysm ligation combined with additional autologous bypass procedure in two cases (6.5%). Two patients (6.5%) were treated interventionally with embolization, in one case each with a right hepatic artery aneurysm and in the other with splenic artery aneurysm. RESULTS: No deaths were observed. The morbidity rate associated with surgical treatment was low. After treatment, a total of 17 patients were followed up for a period ranging from 3 to 154 months (mean 54.6 months). Fifteen patients required no additional procedures. The patency rate of the reconstructed visceral arteries was 90.4%. Six patients were lost for follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical and interventional therapy of VAAs can be life-saving treatments for the patient with a low periprocedural morbidity. The success rate, defined as the exclusion of VAA rupture and the absence of abdominal discomfort, in our material was 88.2% after a mean follow-up of 54.6 months.

Clinical outcomes after direct and indirect surgical venous thrombectomy for inferior vena cava thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Inferior vena cava thrombosis is rare, but patients are at high risk for development of a post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in the long term. Surgical approaches include indirect transfemoral venous thrombectomy (iTFVT) and direct open venous thrombectomy (dOVT). This study reports patient outcomes after iTFVT and dOVT for inferior vena cava thrombosis covering a 25-year follow-up period. METHODS: The study period was from January 1, 1982, to December 31, 2013. Data were retrieved from archived medical records, and patients were invited for a detailed phlebologic follow-up examination (DPFE). Health-related quality of life was assessed with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire. Patient survival, patency rates, and freedom from PTS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimation with log-rank testing. The χ2 test with Yates continuity correction and logistic regression analysis were applied to identify associations between risk factors or coagulation disorders, mortality, and PTS. RESULTS: Complete medical records were available for 152 patients. Patients' 5-year survival was 91% ± 3%, and 5-year primary and secondary patency rates were 80% ± 3% and 94% ± 2%. Freedom from PTS after 25 years was 84% ± 6%. No differences for patient survival, patency rates, or freedom from PTS were identified between iTFVT, dOVT, and a combination of both procedures. Antithrombin III deficiency was the most common coagulation disorder, and patients' physical function and social function were impaired compared with those found in German normative data (P < .05). No risk factor or coagulation disorder was associated with survival or PTS. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical venous thrombectomy is safe and delivers satisfying short- and long-term outcomes compared with endovascular approaches. It remains valuable for patients who are not eligible for other interventional therapies.

Open surgery for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis with temporary arteriovenous fistula remains valuable.

Objective We assessed outcomes of open surgical venous thrombectomy with temporary arteriovenous fistula, and the procedure's effect on health-related quality of life. Method We retrospectively analyzed 48 (26 at long-term) patient medical records. Mortality rates, patency, and risk of post-thrombotic syndrome were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimation. The association between risk factors/coagulation disorders and patency/post-thrombotic syndrome along with patient health-related quality of life at long-term was analyzed employing various statistical methods. Results Patient one-year survival rate was 93 ± 4% and primary one-year patency rate was 89 ± 5% (secondary one-year patency rate 97 ± 3%). Freedom from post-thrombotic syndrome after eight years was 80 ± 12% (post-thrombotic syndrome rate 20 ± 12%). Health-related quality of life was impaired vs. normative data in the physical and social subscales, and in the mental component score ( p < .05). Conclusions Open surgical venous thrombectomy appears safe compared with literature-reported outcomes in similar patients using alternative approaches. Iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis impairs physical, social, and mental health-related quality of life.

Postoperative brachial artery entrapment associated with pediatric supracondylar fracture of the humerus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Severely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children are frequently associated with complications including neurovascular injuries, non-union, or compartment syndrome. In the current literature, no report exists about postoperative brachial artery entrapment in combination with an inconspicuous preoperative neurovascular examination. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 6-year-old white boy with a pulseless radial and ulnar artery after open reduction and internal fixation of a severely displaced supracondylar fracture of his right humerus (Gartland type III) using four K-wires. Remarkably, the preoperative neurovascular examination was inconspicuous. Doppler ultrasound of his brachial artery revealed no pulse when his elbow was in flexion and a faint pulse when it was in full extension 10 hours postoperatively. Revision surgery was performed immediately. On intraoperative examination, a kinking of his brachial artery caused by an entrapment of the tunica externa in the reduced fracture was seen and the artery was released by microsurgical arteriolysis immediately. At the final follow-up examination, positive palpable pulse with good capillary filling and, according to Flynn's criteria, an excellent recovery of elbow function was observed 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates a rare complication of postoperative artery entrapment with inconspicuous preoperative neurovascular examination. It strongly emphasizes the need for a standardized postoperative neurovascular assessment with fully flexed as well as fully extended elbow.