Kidney autotransplantation as a key solution for a BEVAR type IIIb endoleak

Target vessel endoleaks are one of the most common causes of revision procedures after a fenestrated or branched endovascular aneurysm repair. Usually, a redo stenting is an effective therapy, however, not always feasible. We present a case of a hybrid treatment for a type IIIb endoleak using the renal autotransplantation technique.

A 60-year-old man with a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm has been treated with a custom-made branched endoprosthesis. Occlusion of the bridging stent to the right renal artery with total infarction of the right kidney was identified one week later and conservatively managed. After four years, a type IIIb endoleak was identified. Endovascular treatment was attempted unsuccessfully. So, the endoleak was corrected using a hybrid strategy with the kidney autotransplantation technique.

A left kidney autotransplantation followed by an aortic stent-graft relining with a tubular graft has been done uneventfully, in a phased manner. Postoperative computed tomography angiography confirmed the patency of vascular reconstructions with no endoleaks. No adverse events occurred during one year of follow-up.

Our case highlights kidney autotransplantation as a viable solution for a hybrid treatment of target vessel endoleaks and shows that this technique can assist complex endovascular aortic reconstructions.