Retroperitoneal aortoiliac reconstruction

The retroperitoneal approach to the aorta and the iliac arteries provides excellent exposure for reconstruction of these vessels for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Furthermore, the weight of evidence in the literature indicates that this approach is associated with fewer complications, a shorter length of stay in the hospital, and lower costs. The major drawback to this approach at present appears to be a lack of familiarity with the technical aspects of this exposure. It is our hope that this article helps familiarize surgeons with this exposure and encourages them to use it more frequently for "routine" aortoiliac reconstruction.