[Isolated aneurysm of the iliac artery as a source of postoperative peripheral embolism]

An isolated aneurysm of the iliac artery is a rare disease occurring 10 times less frequently than an aneurysm of the aorta. Aneurysms of the iliac artery are yet 10 times less frequent. The rare incidence of the condition is the cause why it is not taken into account in the differential diagnosis. Electively treated aneurysms have a minimal mortality and morbidity, while symptomatic aneurysms with subsequent complications due to haemorrhage, penetration or embolization calling for urgent surgery, have a mortality of cca 50%. In the patient described by the authors embolization and ischaemia of the lower extremity developed during the immediate postoperative period after prostatectomy. Only the peroperative finding explained the cause of the embolization.