ANASTOMOTIC ANEURYSMS FOLLOWING AORTOFEMORAL VASCULAR REPLACEMENT

Despite the advances in reconstructive vascular surgery, anastomotic a neurysms, - particularly in inguinal position - have remained an unsol ved problem. Between 1985 and 1992 in 46 patients who underwent aortoi liac or aortofemoral bypass grafting 58 anastomotic aneurysms were ope rated in our institution. The mean interval between primary reconstruc tion and onset was 65.0 months. In 54 % we observed real suture aneury sms. Technical faults are supposed to be the most causative factor in development of anastomotic aneurysm. The rate of recurrence after repa ir was 10 %. There was no postoperative mortality. It is concluded tha t comprehensive follow-up is required after aortofemoral grafting. Bec ause of the risk of peripheral embolization and local disruption surgi cal repair has to be done soon after the diagnosis of anastomotic aneu rysm.