[Anastomotic false aneurysms after under-diaphragmatic bypasses: about 25 cases]

The purpose of our study is to determine the causes and the management of anastomotic aneurysms. We report the cases of 25 patients with a mean age of 64 years at the time of initial surgical revascularisation. The mean interval between the first operation and the occurrence of anastomotic aneurysm is 5 years (range 2 months-11 years). The treatment consists on the interposition of a graft in 8 patients, anastomotic angioplasty in 9 patients and the reconstruction of the anastomosis in 8 patients. Hospital mortality was 20%. Late death occurs 3 patients and the long-term morbidity was evaluated at 22%. A recurrence of anastomotic false aneurysm occurred in 4 patients (16%) (Range 7 months-1 year). In conclusion anastomotic false aneurysm is one of the major complications of vascular reconstruction; careful follow-up can detect the rare instances of anastomotic aneurysm and reoperation can be accomplished with a low-rate of adverse outcome.