Pseudoaneurysms of the femoral artery: recommendation for a method of repair

Purpose: Formation of an anastomotic aneurysm in the femoral artery is one of the major complications after femoral artery surgery. The aim of this st udy was to assess the method of repair of femoral anastomotic aneurysms and their outcome in a District General Hospital. Methods: A retrospective con secutive cohort of anastomotic femoral aneurysms, operated between 1977 and 1998, were studied. Results: Twelve patients with a total of 19 pseudoaneu rysms were treated. Five of the aneurysms were repaired using a vein patch and two had re-suturing of the anastomosis. Twelve aneurysms were repaired with complete revision of the anastomoses using interposition grafts. There were no recurrences in the interposition graft group whilst two recurred i n the seven aneurysms repaired using re-suturing / vein patch. Conclusion: Interposition grafting would appear to be the method of choice for repair o f femoral pseudoaneurysms as the outcome was better than that with re-sutur ing or using a patch closure technique.