Temporary Axillorenal Bypass in Complex Aorto-Renal Surgery

Prolonged renal ischemia during vascular surgery carries high morbidity and mortality. We report an alternative technique for maintaining renal circulation during suprarenal aortic or renal artery clamping.

Between October 2007 and May 2012, 16 patients undergoing aorto-renal surgery (13 men, 3 women) were operated using temporary axillorenal bypass. Operations were performed for supra- and juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (11), occlusive aortic disease (2), renal artery stenoses (2), and abdominal myofibroblastic tumor (1). In elective cases, axillorenal bypass was planned, when prolonged renal ischemia was expected based on preoperative information. Preoperative risk factors (renal dysfunction, hypertension, coronary disease, diabetes, smoking) and intraoperative variables (operating time, blood loss, renal ischemia time) were assessed and compared with postoperative kidney function (serum creatinine, urine output, dialysis) and in-hospital or 30-day-mortality. Even though renal blood flow was restored between clampings, the total cumulative ischemia time was used in analysis. Acute renal failure postoperatively was based on RIFLE criteria.

Preoperatively, 44% (7) of the patients had normal renal function (S-crea ≤ 100 mmol/L). Renal function was moderately present in 50% (8) (S-crea 100-200 mmol/L) and severely in 6% (1) (S-crea ≥ 200 mmol/L). Median operation time was 393 min (251-535 min) and median renal ischemia time was 24.5 min (range 8-50 min). Transient acute renal dysfunction occurred in 6 (38%) patients, and 4 of them had renal insufficiency preoperatively. Transient renal replacement therapy was needed in 1 (6%) patient only. In 1-month control, postoperative renal function had returned to its baseline level or improved and in-hospital or 30-day mortality was zero.

Temporary axillorenal bypass is a considerable option to minimize renal ischemia time during high-risk vascular surgery.