Unsuccessful control of abdominal aortic aneurysm by bypass and ligation

Two patients developed abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture following bilateral iliac artery ligation and axillobifemoral bypass. The first patient developed his rupture several weeks after outflow ligation and apparent thrombosis of the aneurysm. At autopsy, the aneurysmal rupture occurred in the left posterior junction between the thrombosed aneurysm and the normal aorta. In the second case, the aneurysm was not completely thrombosed and plans were in progress for thrombosis of the aneurysm when the patient developed frank rupture, necessitating operative intervention. The authors await the published experience of others with bilateral common iliac artery ligation and extra-anatomic bypass for abdominal aortic aneurysm, but these authors do not currently recommend this management plan.