Technical considerations for late removal of aortic endografts

The endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms has become increasingly common during the past decade. Despite aggressive attempts to treat endoleak and graft failure with endovascular salvage procedures, some grafts necessitate surgical removal. We reviewed our experience with late endograft explantation in an effort to identify technical maneuvers critical for success.

Of 110 patients treated with aortic abdominal endografts at the University of Rochester Medical Center between August 1997 and June 2001, five (4.5%) needed late graft removal. Medical records, radiographic files, and case report forms were retrospectively reviewed.

One Talent (Medtronic AVE, Santa Rosa, Calif) and four Vanguard (Boston Scientific, Natick, Mass) grafts were removed at a mean of 32.7 months (range, 18 to 44 months) after implantation. One patient underwent conversion for rupture, three for endoleaks (one each with types I, II, and III), and one for stent separation from the graft material without endoleak or aneurysm expansion. Three cases were approached via the midline, one through a bilateral subcostal incision, and one through a retroperitoneal incision. Supraceliac aortic control was used in all patients. Removal of two of the Vanguard grafts necessitated extension of the aortotomy above the level of the renal orifices. One perioperative death occurred. The mean operative blood loss was 4700 mL (range, 1850 to 9000 mL), and length of stay was 19.8 days (range, 7 to 42 days).

The morbidity and mortality rates associated with late removal of endografts are significant. Removal of Vanguard devices can necessitate extension of the aortotomy above the renal arteries. We believe that control of the aorta well above the proximal fixation site is the key to removal and that continuous aortic exposure via retroperitoneal exposure is the best option in this situation.