POPLITEAL ANEURYSMS - A 10-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Background: Popliteal aneurysms account for 70% of peripheral arterial aneurysms and, if untreated, pose a serious threat to the affected li mb. Debate continues about the best form of treatment especially for a symptomatic lesions. Method: We reviewed the computer records and char ts of patients seen at this department with a diagnosis of popliteal a neurysm over the last 10 years. Patients who had not been seen within the last year were followed-up through their G.P. Results: Twenty-four patients (M 23/F 1) presented with 40 popliteal aneurysms. The mean a ge was 63.5+/-9 years. Symptoms were present ill 23 of the affected li mbs while 17 were asymptomatic. Thirty were treated surgically and 10 followed with regular ultrasound. The mean diameter of the repaired an eurysms was 3.3 +/- 1 cm. Aneurysms 12 cm were more likely to be asymp tomatic. No limbs were lost in patients undergoing elective repair of popliteal aneurysms. The secondary patency and limb salvage rates at 3 years were 84% and 96% respectively Conservative management of asympt omatic lesions <2 cm was not complicated by the development of symptom s. Conclusions: Elective repair of popliteal aneurysms by exclusion an d bypass is a safe, effective and durable technique. Small asymptomati c lesions can be safely managed with close follow-up.