POPLITEAL ARTERY ANEURYSMS

Altogether 59 patients with 76 popliteal artery aneurysms were treated during the last 36 years. There were 50 (85%) male and 9 (15%) female patients with an average age of 61 years. Nineteen (32%) patients had bilateral aneurysms. The clinical manifestations of the aneurysms inc luded ruptures 4 (5.3%); deep venous thrombosis 4 (5.3%); sciatic nerv e compression 1 (1.3%); leg ischemia 52 (68.4%), and asymptomatic puls atile masses 15 (19.7%). Seventy (92%) aneurysms were atherosclerotic, one (1.3%) mycotic, and four (5.3%) traumatic; one (1.3%) developed o wing to fibromuscular displasia. Seven (9.2%) small, asymptomatic aneu rysms were not operated on. Reconstructive procedures (end-to-end anas tomosis, graft interposition, bypass) after aneurysmal resection or ex clusion using a medial or posterior approach were done in 59 eases. An autologous saphenous vein graft was used in 49 cases, polytetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE) in 5, and heterograft in 2 cases. The in-hospital mort ality rate mas 2.9%, the early patency rate 93.3%, and limb salvage 95 %. The long-term patency rate after a mean follow-up of 4 gears was 78 % and long-term limb salvage 89%. The total limb salvage mas 73%, and the total amputation rate was 27%. The dangerous complications associa ted with popliteal artery aneurysms and the good results after electiv e procedures suggest that operative treatment is appropriate.