Extra-anatomic renal revascularization in patients with renal artery stenosis and abdominal aortic occlusion

Thirteen patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and total abdominal aortic occlusion underwent extra-anatomic surgical renal revascularization without aortic replacement. Renal artery stenosis was present unilaterally (n = 2), bilaterally (n = 7), or in a solitary kidney (n = 4). Surgical renal revascularization was indicated for treatment of severe hypertension in all patients and for preservation of renal function in 10 patients. The level of abdominal aortic occlusion was suprarenal (n = 3), perirenal (n = 2), or infrarenal (n = 8). All patients had extensive collateral vascular supply to the lower extremities with absent (n = 7) or mild (n = 6) claudication. Surgical renal revascularization was achieved with hepatorenal bypass (n = 6), mesenterorenal bypass (n = 4), or splenorenal bypass (n = 3). None of the patients underwent concomitant aortic replacement. There were no operative deaths. Postoperatively, hypertension was improved in 10 patients, unchanged in 2 patients, and worse in 1 patient. Renal function was improved in 8 patients, stable in 2 patients, and worse in 3 patients. After surgical renal revascularization, no patient required aortic replacement, while 1 patient underwent extra-anatomic revascularization of the lower extremities. We conclude that some patients with renal artery stenosis and abdominal aortic occlusion can be managed by surgical renal revascularization alone without a more extensive and potentially hazardous aortic replacement. In these patients, extra-anatomic techniques can allow safe and successful surgical renal revascularization while avoiding surgery on the diseased aorta.