Aortomonoiliac endovascular grafting: difficult solutions to difficult aneurysms

To describe a refined technique for aortomonoiliac endograft exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

A tapered aortomonoiliac graft was prepared from an 8-mm thin-walled expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tube graft predilated proximally to 35 mm and tapered distally to 15 mm. The proximal graft was sutured to a 5-cm-long, predilated Palmaz stent, which was mounted on a 30-mm balloon and backloaded into a 21F packaging sheath. With the patient under general anesthesia and both common femoral arteries exposed, the endograft was anchored in the infrarenal aorta and subsequently passed into one iliac system, where it was anastomosed to the iliac or femoral vessels. The contralateral common iliac artery was occluded, and an extra-anatomic, femorofemoral, or iliofemoral bypass grafting was performed.

Twenty of the 25 AAAs treated to date with this technique have been successful, with aneurysm exclusion achieved in 18 (2 minor distal endoleaks are scheduled for endovascular repair). The technical failures were analyzed, resulting in enhancements to the technique. Complications included 2 early (< 30 days) deaths, 1 case of minor embolization, 1 transient renal failure, 1 pulmonary embolus, and 1 wound infection. The only late complication was a graft infection localized to the groin.

Aortomonoiliac endovascular aneurysm repair is effective in patients with AAAs involving the iliac arteries. Short-term results are acceptable, but long-term efficacy must be addressed before this procedure is widely adopted. Technical changes made in response to early learning curve problems have led to a safer, more reliable procedure.