POPLITEAL ANEURYSM

At our institution operative repair was undertaken for 67 popliteal an eurysms in 45 patients between 1986 and 1991. In 24 cases emergency su rgery was necessary: acute critical ischemia due to thrombosis or embo lism in 22 cases, and rupture of the aneurysm in 2 cases. Two patients died within the first 30 postoperative days. Four major amputations c ould not be avoided. On the other hand, elective surgical intervention was possible in 43 cases without operative morbidity and mortality. G iven the high incidence of serious complications such as thrombosis or embolism in popliteal aneurysms, and the reduced success rate of surg ery in acute critical ischemia, surgical correction upon diagnosis is especially recommended in aneurysms with intraluminal thrombus.