Outcome following open TAAA repair after TEVAR compared to conventional open type II TAAA repair

Background: Open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair for Crawford extent II aneurysms carries substantial risks. This study compares outcomes of open TAAA repair following prior thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with conventional open extent II repair. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of 91 patients (2006-2024) divided into prior TEVAR (n=29) and conventional repair Crawford extent II repair without previous TEVAR (n=62). Primary endpoints included mortality and complications; secondary endpoints assessed survival and reinterventions. This study was designed according to STROBE criteria. Results: The prior TEVAR group (n=29) had a mean age of 61.5±10.7 years and 72.4% were male, while the conventional extent II repair group (n=62) had a mean age of 63.2±9.8 years and 69.4% were male. Prior TEVAR patients underwent open repair for extent II (13.8%), III (58.6%), or IV (27.6%) aneurysms. In-hospital mortality was lower in the prior TEVAR group (6.9% vs. 25.8%, p =.07), as were rates of spinal cord ischemia (3.4% vs. 8.1%, p =.55), acute kidney injury (24.1% vs. 35.5%, p =.28), and massive transfusion (24.1% vs. 30.6%, p =.54). Pulmonary complications occurred less frequently after TEVAR (69.0% vs. 82.3%, p =.25). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant survival difference (log-rank p=.05), with 5-year survival rates of 94% (prior TEVAR) and 61% (conventional). Aortic reintervention rates were also similar (10.5% vs. 18.8%, p=.69). Conclusions: Open TAAA repair following prior TEVAR may offer clinically meaningful advantages over conventional open type II repair with acceptable survival rates; however, these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the study's retrospective design and small sample size. Staged hybrid approach could be a viable strategy for managing complex aortic pathologies.