Dimitrios K. Papadimitriou

Surgical versus endovascular repair by iliac branch device of aneurysms involving the iliac bifurcation

OBJECTIVE To evaluate early and late results of open (OR) and endovascular aneurysm repair by iliac side branch device (EVRISB) for aneurysms involving the iliac bifurcation (AIB). METHODS Between January 2004 and March 2010, 118 patients were diagnosed with AIBs and underwent OR or EVRISB at two European vascular centers. Particularly, 64 (54.2%) patients were treated by EVRISB and 54 (45.8%) by OR. In one center, 24 consecutive patients were treated by surgery because this was the standard therapeutic approach until January 2005. For the rest of the study period until March 2010, 64 consecutive patients with AIB suitable for EVRISB underwent placement of branched devices. In the other center, 30 consecutive patients with AIBs were treated by OR because advanced endovascular imaging was not available during the study period. RESULTS No significant differences in demographics, anatomical characteristics, or comorbidities of the patients were recorded between the two groups. Early (30-day) mortality was 0% for EVRISB versus 5.5% for the OR group (P < .001). Major morbidity occurred in 4.6% versus 9.3% of the patient subgroups, respectively (P < .001). Buttock claudication and colonic ischemia were recorded in 5.9% and 2% of OR patients compared with 3.1% and 0% of EVRISB cases (P > .05). Primary patency rates were 98.4% for EVRISB and 100% for OR patients. Primary and secondary endoleak rates of the EVRISB group were 12.5% and 6.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular repair by iliac branch device of aneurysms involving the iliac bifurcation can be accomplished with very low morbidity and mortality rates. Especially for young active patients or in cases of contralateral occlusion, the preservation of hypogastric artery seems to be a strong argument for use of EVRISB as a preferable therapy option.

Incidence of abdominal wall hernias in patients undergoing aortic surgery for aneurysm or occlusive disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of abdominal and incisional hernias in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) versus patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD). Patients and methods: The study included retrospectively 121 patients, who underwent elective aortic surgery due to AAA (n = 63) or AOD (n = 58) in the period between January 1998 and January 2000. The patients were examined for the presence of abdominal hernias upon admission, as well as for the development of incisional hernias on follow-up. Results: The incidence of inguinal hernias was significantly higher in the group AAA (21/6–33.3%) compared to the group with AOD (6/58–10,3%) (p < 0.01). The incidence of other abdominal wall hernias (umbilical, epigastric or miscellaneous hernias) was also significant higher in AAA group. Furthermore, the incidence of inguinal hernias was significantly higher in the subgroup of patients with an aneurysm diameter more than 6 cm (41.5% vs 18.2%, p < 0.05). The mean ...BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of abdominal and incisional hernias in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) versus patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included retrospectively 121 patients, who underwent elective aortic surgery due to AAA (n = 63) or AOD (n = 58) in the period between January 1998 and January 2000. The patients were examined for the presence of abdominal hernias upon admission, as well as for the development of incisional hernias on follow-up. RESULTS The incidence of inguinal hernias was significantly higher in the group AAA (21/6-33.3%) compared to the group with AOD (6/58-10.3%) (p < 0.01). The incidence of other abdominal wall hernias (umbilical, epigastric or miscellaneous hernias) was also significant higher in AAA group. Furthermore, the incidence of inguinal hernias was significantly higher in the subgroup of patients with an aneurysm diameter more than 6 cm (41.5% vs 18.2%, p < 0.05). The mean follow-up of the patients was 1.7 +/- 0.3 years. 7 cases of incisional hernia were noted in the AAA group (11.1%) and only 2 cases in the AOD group (3.4%) (p < 0.05). The size of the aneurysm had no influence on the incidence of incisional hernias in the AAA group. CONCLUSION We conclude that there seems to be an increased incidence of abdominal wall hernias as well as postoperative incisional hernias in patients undergoing aortic surgery for aneurysm disease compared with aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Two-dimensional versus three-dimensional CT angiography in analysis of anatomical suitability for stentgraft repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms:

Background The morphological analysis prior to endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) plays an important role in long-term outcomes. Post-imaging analysis of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) by three-dimensional reconstruction with central lumen line detection (CLL 3D-CTA) enables measurements to be made in orthogonal slices. This might be more precise than equal post-imaging analysis in axial slices by two-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (2D-CTA). Purpose To evaluate the intra- and interobserver variability of CLL 3D-CTA and 2D-CTA post-imaging analysis methods and the agreement between them in pre-EVAR suitability analysis of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Material and Methods Anonymized CTA data-sets from 70 patients with AAA were analyzed retrospectively. Length measurements included proximal and distal aortic neck lengths and total distance from the lower renal artery to the higher iliac bifurcation. Width measurements included proximal and distal neck diameters, maximum AAA diameter and common iliac diameters just above the iliac bifurcations. The measurements were performed in random order by two vascular surgeons, twice per method with 1-month interval between readings. In the CLL 3D-CTA method we used semi-automated CLL detection by software and manual measurements on CTA slices perpendicular to CLL. The equal measurements in 2D-CTA were performed manually on axial CTA slices using a DICOM viewer workstation. The intra- and interobserver variability, as well as the agreement between the two methods were assessed by Bland-Altman test and bivariate correlation analysis. Results The intraobserver variability was significantly higher in 2D-CTA measurements for both readers. The interobserver variability was significant in 2D-CTA measurements of proximal neck dimensions while the agreement in CLL 3D-CTA analysis between the two readers was excellent in all studied parameters. The agreement between the two suitability analysis techniques was poor for both readers, especially in measurements of proximal necks dimensions and in total aortoiliac length (p = 0.001). Conclusion In pre-EVAR morphological evaluation of AAAs the CLL-3D CTA post-imaging analysis has better intra- and interobserver correlation than 2D-CTA and might represent a useful tool for the proper selection of endografts type and size.

Celiac artery aneurysm associated with atherosclerotic common hepatic artery stenosis

Celiac artery aneurysms are rare vascular lesions and represent 4% of all splanchnic aneurysms. Media degeneration and atherosclerosis are the most common underlying etiologic factors. The risk of rupture and the associated mortality rate are 13% and 40% respectively. In contrast, elective repair carries a low mortality rate of 5%. Most of celiac artery aneurysms are asymptomatic and in the past nearly 80% of the cases were diagnosed when ruptured. Recently, there is an increased recognition of all splanchnic aneurysm types, probably because of better diagnostic techniques. We report a case of celiac artery aneurysm with severe atherosclerotic stenosis of the common hepatic artery. We performed, through a midline supraumbilical laparotomy, extended partial aneurysmectomy and common hepatic artery ostium endarterectomy. For the closure we used Dacron patch. The uncomplicated postoperative patients course, with no evidence of liver dysfunction and excellent patency of the common hepatic artery, suggests that this technique offered good results and minimized the perioperative risk.

Multiple recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the hand

We present a rare case of a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising on the dorsum of the hand in a 51-year-old woman, who had experienced four recurrences of the tumour following local excisions. We performed a radical surgical excision of the lesion and covered the defect with a distal ulnar artery skin island flap. Adjuvant radiation therapy followed the surgical treatment. Forty months postoperatively, the patient has a functional hand without signs of recurrence and no evidence of disease. Wide surgical excision with margins of 2.5-3 cm is the optimal treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. For selected patients, like those presenting large tumours involving the hand, adequate removal is not easily obtainable, or may result in major functional deficits. An alternative strategy may be the combination of less extensive surgery and radiotherapy, in order to prevent mutilation, decrease the local recurrence rates, and minimize the risk of metastases.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm with symptomatic cholelithiasis: report of a case treated by simultaneous endovascular aneurysm repair and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Asymptomatic cholelithiasis with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one of few ideal fields for simultaneous “open” repair. In AAA cases with acute lithiasic cholecystitis, the simultaneous open repair is debatable due to increased possibility for prosthetic graft contamination. We report a case of a 78-year-old, ASA IV patient suffering from acute cholecystitis and concomitant (62 mm) AAA. The patient was treated by simultaneous endovascular AAA repair with a bifurcated prosthesis Endurant and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Operative time was 165 minutes with total blood loss <100 mL. The patient fed and mobilized the second postoperative day, and the course until patients’ discharge the sixth day was uneventful. Follow-up imaging at first month confirmed the successful aneurysm’s exclusion without endoleak or migration. The simultaneous endovascular AAA repair and laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems to be simple, safe, and effective technique and minimized the possibility of local and systemic postoperative complications.

Percutaneous Endovascular Management of a Splenic Artery Aneurysm

Abstract Splenic artery aneurysms are extremely rare lesions. Elective repair of these aneurysms is justified only if the aneurysm’s size is greater than 2 cm and the predicted peri-operative mortality is below 0.5%. Percutaneous techniques minimise the peri-operative morbidity and mortality rates and offer a safe and effective treatment option. We report a coil-embolisation of a 5.1 cm splenic artery aneurysm and a short review of the literature concerning the endovascular treatment options.

Intraluminal Intestinal Administration of Oxygenated Perfluorocarbon Improves Acid–Base and Cardiopulmonary Parameters After Acute Mesenteric Ischemia. An Experimental Study in Rabbits

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the intraluminal intestinal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbon, during experimental acute intestinal ischemia, on the acid–base blood status and the cardiopulmonary parameters.MethodsThirty-six rabbits were separated into three groups: (a) Control group (ischemia alone), (b) PFC-O2 group (ischemia plus infusion of oxygenated F-Decalin in intraluminal intestinal administration), and (c) PFC group (ischemia plus infusion of nonoxygenated F-Decalin in intraluminal intestinal administration). An equal number of the animals was then subjected to 8 h of intestinal ischemia by ligation of the superior mesenteric artery (subgroups 1), the mesenteric vein (subgroups 2) or both vessels (subgroups 3). At 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h arterial blood samples were taken for acid–base status tests and the vital signs (heart and respiratory rate, pressure of inferior vena cava, and systolic arterial pressure) were noted. The statistical analysis was performed by the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test.ResultsThere were no significant differences in any of the studied parameters (pH, base excess, respiratory gases, pressure of inferior vena cava, systolic arterial pressure, heart and respiratory rate) between animals of the same group and subgroup. In addition, the differences among Control and PFC groups and their equal subgroups were not significant. On the other hand, the measurements of the PFC-O2 animals showed significant differences at 4, 6, and 8 h of ischemia (P < 0.05) in comparison with those from the Control and PFC groups.ConclusionWe conclude that the intraluminal intestinal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons may thus be a useful adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Continuous contralateral jugular acid-base and blood gas monitoring during carotid endarterectomy

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the intravascular multiparameter sensor Paratrend 7 (P7) for continuous acid-base and blood gas monitoring after retrograde jugular catheterization during carotid endarterectomy. Patients and methods: We studied 11 patients with history of smoking (72.7%), coronary artery disease (72.7%), hypertension (100%), diabetes mellitus (55.5%) and TIA’s and/or nondisabling stroke (90.9%). The contralateral internal jugular vein was punctured retrogradely and the calibrated P7 sensor was introduced. The sensor was removed after surgery. The P7 provides continuous graphical display of pH, pCO2, and pO2, while temperature, oxygen saturation, HCO3 concentration and base excess are displayed numerically. Results: Mean duration of carotid cross-clamping was 17.0 ± 6.2 min. Mean stump pressure was 50.2 ± 12.9 mmHg. Intraluminal shunting was not used in any operation. All sensors were easily inserted. During clamping, pH became persistently more acidic (7.31 to 7.28; p < 0....

Acute Forearm Compressive Myopathy Syndrome Secondary to Upper Limb Entrapment: An Unusual Cause of Renal Failure

Compressive myopathy syndrome (SCM) is a syndrome characterized by the lesion of skeletal muscle resulting in subsequent release of intracellular contents (myoglobin, creatine phosphokinase, potassium, etc.) into the circulatory system, which can cause potentially lethal complications. There are numerous causes that can lead to SCM resulting to acute rhabdomyolysis, and many patients present with multiple causes. The most common potentially lethal complication is acute renal failure. The occurrence of acute rhabdomyolysis should be considered as a possibility in any patient who can remain stationary for long periods, or is in a coma, or is intoxicated in any form. We report the rare case of a 26-year-old patient who developed SCM caused by ischemia reperfusion, with subsequent acute rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure after prolonged compression of the right upper extremity.