Infrarenal endograft clamping in late open conversions after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair

The aim of this study was to report the technical aspects and outcomes of late open conversion (LOC) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a single center by using exclusively infrarenal clamping of the endograft as an alternative to suprarenal or supraceliac aortic clamping.

A retrospective analysis of EVAR requiring late explantation (>30 days) from January 1996 to October 2016 was performed. Patients' demographics, type of endograft, duration of implantation, reason for removal, extent of stent graft removal, type of reconstruction, 30-day mortality, postoperative complications, and long-term survival were obtained for analysis.

During the study period, 28 patients required LOC. The mean age at conversion was 75.11 ± 6.65 years; 26 of 28 (92.86%) were male. Grafts were excised after a median of 41.4 months (range, 5.97-112.67 months), with 21 of 28 explantations (75%) performed electively. Multiple types of EVAR devices have been explanted; suprarenal fixation was present in 75% of the cases. The indication for LOC was the presence of an endoleak in 27 cases (20 type I, 4 type II associated with aneurysm growth, 3 type III, and 3 endotensions; in 3 cases, multiple types of endoleak were present) and graft thrombosis in 1 case. All patients underwent a transperitoneal approach with infrarenal clamping. No patient required revascularization of visceral or renal vessels. Complete removal of the stent graft was performed in 8 of 28 cases, partial removal in the remaining 20 cases (with conservation of the proximal portion in 16 of 20 cases). Technical success was 100%. Overall 30-day mortality was 7.14% (2/28). The 30-day mortality was 9.5% in elective patients and 0% in the urgent setting; this difference was not statistically significant (P = .56). Postoperative kidney injury rate was 7.7% (2/26). Mean follow-up was 47.37 ± 55.67 months (range, 0.23-175.07 months). The estimated 5-year survival rate was 78%. No aneurysm-related death or additional procedure occurred during follow-up.

LOC after EVAR using infrarenal clamping of the endograft is a feasible and effective technique, with satisfactory postoperative mortality and morbidity. This method allows simplification of the surgical technique and may avoid renal and visceral complications related to suprarenal or supraceliac clamping.