Tom Bosschaerts

Totally retroperitoneal laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass

Abstract The classic procedure for aortobifemoral bypass is open surgery. Since the first totally laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass reported in 1997 by Yves-Marie Dion, laparoscopy has been accepted by several authors as a possible minimally invasive alternative for aorto-iliac occlusive disease. The transperitoneal left retrocolic and retrorenal ways are generally used. The totally retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedure has been described as an alternative to the transperitoneal approach. We report here a totally laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach to performing aortobifemoral bypass. This approach was proposed to a 51-year-old man with aorto-iliac occlusive disease. There was no indication for endovascular revascularization. The patient suffered from 10 metres of bilateral intermittent claudication and lower limb ulcers. During the surgical procedure our patient was placed in a 30-degree right lateral decubitus position. The optical system was first placed in an intra-abdominal position to check the positioning of the trocars in the left retroperitoneal space. The dissection of the retroperitoneal space was performed by CO2 insufflation and by blunt dissection using laparoscopic forceps. The infrarenal aorta was exposed and clamped by laparoscopic clamps. A bifurcated graft was sutured on the left-hand side of the aorta by a running suture. Both prosthetic limbs were tunnelized retroperitoneally to the groin under optical control. The femoral anastomoses were performed by classic open surgery.

Preliminary Results from a Prospective Study of Laparoscopic Aortobifemoral Bypass Using a Clampless and Sutureless Aortic Anastomotic Technique

OBJECTIVE This prospective study describes the feasibility and safety of a new clampless and sutureless aortic anastomotic technique used during retroperitoneal laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass in extensive aortoiliac occlusive lesions. This is a case series of a previously published technique, demonstrating wider applicability of the technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve patients underwent a clampless and sutureless laparoscopic bypass for TASC D aortoiliac occlusive lesions using the EndoVascular REtroperitoneoScopic Technique (EVREST). Dissection of the retroperitoneal space and the infrarenal aorta was performed laparoscopically. A bifurcated graft was inserted into the retroperitoneal space. The main body of the graft was connected on the left side of the aorta by an intra- and extra-aortic covered stent-graft. An aortic clamp was used temporarily on four patients because of excessive bleeding when the connector was deployed. The femoral anastomoses were performed by classic open surgery. Initial technical success, complications, and bypass patency were assessed. RESULTS Median follow-up was 9.3 months. Median operative time was 265 minutes. Median duration of aorto-prosthetic connection was 60 seconds. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 0%. No major postoperative complications were observed. All grafts were patent at the end of follow-up and there was no early or late disruption of the proximal assembly. CONCLUSIONS EVREST greatly facilitates laparoscopic aortic surgery in occlusive disease with no need for suture or clamping of the aorta. This technique performed in a single center on 12 patients, seems to be feasible and safe. It offers the advantages of laparoscopy and those of endovascular surgery, especially in the challenging conditions encountered during aortic laparoscopic surgery. Early experience supports procedural and initial postprocedural safety and demonstrates proof-of-concept for EVREST.