Twenty years operating experience for popliteal artery aneurysm

Is it better to treat popliteal aneurysms as elective operations when their diameter is above 2 cm?

Between 1985 and 2004, 76 operations for popliteal artery aneurysm were performed in 67 patients.

58 operations were elective (76.32%) and 18 were emergencies [13 procedures and 5 urgent amputations] (23.68%). For reconstruction, autologous saphenous vein was used in 53 cases (69.74%), vascular prosthesis in 15 cases (19.74%), and a cryo-preserved vein allograft in 3 cases (3.95%). In 5 cases (6.58%), amputation for advanced lower limb ischaemia was performed without arterial reconstruction. In our patient group there were 62 men (92.53%) and 5 women (7.47%). Patient age ranged from 49 to 80 years, with a mean age of 69 years. Elective operation was indicated in most of the patients with popliteal artery aneurysm, because it was associated with a relatively low risk for the patient. In fact, it was a preventive operation. In the acute stage, there was a higher risk of complications and (potential) amputation.

Popliteal aneurysms should be surgically treated as soon as possible after their diagnosis, preferably before ischaemic complications occur.