POPLITEAL ANEURYSMS - OPERATIVE VERSUS CO NSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT

217 patients with 349 popliteal aneurysms (PA) were studied. 45% prese nted with symptomatic complications, mainly thrombosis (21% acute, 15% chronic) and embolisation (7%). The mean diameter was significantly l arger in acutely thrombosed (2.69 cm) than in patent PA (2.15 cm). The amputation rate in patients requiring emergency treatment was 36.1% a fter 2 years. The difference to patients undergoing bypass surgery in an asymptomatic stage (4-year graft patency 89%, limb salvage 100%) is highly significant. Of 128 PA treated conservatively, 53% were free o f complications after 5 years. We conclude that prophylactic surgery o f PA is justified in cases at high risk of developing complications, b ut that characteristics of those cases are not yet well defined.