Vojko Flis

Treatment of Primary Infected Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysm With the Multilayer Stent

Purpose: To report the use of multilayer uncovered stent to treat primary infected juxtarenal aortic aneurysm. Case Report: A 50-year-old man was admitted to hospital for rapid onset of intractable abdominal pain and high fever. Computed tomographic scan showed 2 juxtarenal saccular aneurysms of abdominal aorta with morphologic and clinical changes compatible with infectious etiology. Patient was treated with multilayer flow-modulating stent. Follow-up imaging showed persistent aneurysm exclusion and continuous aneurysm shrinkage of the sac until complete regression to a normal aortic configuration was seen at 1 year. During follow-up (24 months), patient continued to do well, and there was no recurrence of infection. Conclusion: Multilayer stent appeared to be an acceptable treatment option for primary infected juxtarenal aortic aneurysms. Aneurysmal sac completely disappeared and visceral branches remained patent at 2-year follow-up. However, longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the long-term patency of involved visceral arteries.

Infected femoral pseudoaneurysms from intravenous drug abuse in young adults

SummaryIntravenous or parenteral drug abuse is the most common cause of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (IFAP). This complication of intravenous drug abuse is not only limb threatening but can also be life threatening. The management of IFAP is difficult and controversial. Generally speaking, ligation and excision of the pseudoaneurysm without revascularization is accepted procedure in the majority of patients, with acceptable morbidity and low rate of limb loss. However, it is not an appropriate procedure for cases of acute interruption of the femoral artery flow, where a high probability of amputation is expected. We present four cases of young patients (average 19.5 years, range 17–24) with IFAP, where primary reconstruction was performed due to the absence of a Doppler signal over the pedal arteries after ligation of the common femoral artery. In two cases complications in the form of hemorrhage and repeated infection developed in the late postoperative period; in one case excision and ligation was performed, and in the last case reconstruction with a silver-impregnated dacron prosthesis. None of the patients required an amputation. Overall prognosis is uncertain because of the high incidence of postoperative drug injection despite aggressive drug rehabilitation.

Delaying the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap: A solution to the problem of the small calibre of the donor artery

BACKGROUND Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap has a great advantage over other flaps of the area, that is, readily non-existent donor-site problems. The main reason why the SIEA flap has never been extensively used in breast reconstruction is the small diameter and variable anatomy of its donor artery. This study presents a possibility of enlarging the SIEA diameter using the delay-phenomenon mechanism. METHODS A prospective clinical study of 26 patients was undertaken. Prior to surgery, ultrasound examinations were performed, measuring the diameter of SIEA and the velocity of blood flow in SIEA. The ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) was then ligated in all patients who had a measurable SIEA preoperatively. Two weeks later, measurements were repeated. The blood flow through SIEA was calculated and statistical analysis was applied. RESULTS Twenty-one patients had an identifiable SIEA on preoperative measurements. On postoperative measurements, we confirmed ligation of DIEA in 19 patients, of these 17 patients had an augmentation in diameter (mean: 29%) and 18 in blood flow (mean: 127%). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that ligating a single of the three main arteries (DIEA, SIEA and superficial circumflex iliac artery) irrigating skin/soft tissue of the lower abdomen, although the dominant one, results in widening of diameter and enlarging of blood flow of another artery (SIEA) supplying the same angiosome. The results of the present study might be used in future to increase the diameter and flow in SIEA when the vessel diameter found on preoperative imaging was too small for clinical microsurgical transfer. The drawback of the proposed delay procedure is the sacrifice of ipsilateral DIEA and an added operative procedure. STATEMENT: The clinical trial is registered with Clinical Trials (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/). The clinical trial registration number is NCT01247129.

Isolated Atherosclerotic Aneurysm of the Profunda Femoris Artery

True aneurysms of the profunda femoris artery are extremely rare in comparison to pseudoaneurysms of the same artery. In most cases they are accompanied by aneurysms of the abdominal aorta or peripheral vessels. The most common reason for aneurysmic dilatation of vessels is a generalized vascular degenerative process. An isolated true aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery due to atherosclerosis is markedly unusual. These aneurysms have a high incidence of complication; therefore surgical management is mandatory for all diagnosed cases regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not. We describe a case of a 73-year-old man with a large isolated atherosclerotic aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery. He presented with an enlarging, progressively debilitating mass in his upper thigh. Ultrasound and computed tomography-angiography demonstrated a 15 x 14 cm large aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery. The patient was successfully treated by aneurysm neck ligation and sac decompression.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head with venous resection

Abstract Background Recent reports have shown that patients with vascular tumour invasion who undergo concurrent vascular resection can achieve long-term survival rates equivalent to those without vascular involvement requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy alone. There is no consensus about which patients benefit from the portal-superior mesenteric vein resection and there is no consensus about the best surgical technique of vessel reconstruction (resection with or without graft reconstruction). As published series are small the aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in pancreatectomies with en bloc vascular resection and reconstruction of vessels. Methods Review of database at University Clinical Centre Maribor identified 133 patients (average age 65.4 ± 8.6 years, 69 female patients) who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy between January 2006 and August 2014. Clinical data, operative results, pathological findings and postoperative outcomes were collected prospectively and analyzed. Current literature and our experience in pancreatectomies with en bloc vascular resection and reconstruction of portal vein are reviewed. Results Twenty-two patients out of 133 (16.5%) had portal vein-superior mesenteric vein resection and portal vein reconstruction (PVR) during pancreaticoduodenectomy. In fourteen patients portal vein was reconstructed without the use of synthetic vascular graft. In these series two types of venous reconstruction were performed. When tumour involvement was limited to the superior mesenteric vein (SPV) or portal vein (PV) such that the splenic vein could be preserved, and vessels could be approximated without tension a primary end-to-end anastomosis was performed. When tumour involved the SMV-splenic vein confluence, splenic vein ligation was necessary. In the remaining eight procedures interposition graft was needed. Dacron grafts with 10 mm diameter were used. There was no infection after dacron grafting. One patient had portal vein thrombosis after surgery: it was thrombosis after primary reconstruction. There were no thromboses in patients with synthetic graft interposition. There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity, mortality or grades of complication between groups of patients with or without a PVR. Median survival time in months was in a group with vein resection 16.13 months and in a group without vein resection 15.17 months. Five year survival in the group without vein resection was 19.5%. Comparison of survival curves showed equal hazard rates with log-rank p = 0.090. Conclusions Survival of patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo an R0 resection with reconstruction was comparable to those who have a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy with no added mortality or morbidity. Synthetic graft appeared to be an effective and safe option as an interposition graft for portomesenteric venous reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Endovascular repair of renal artery aneurysm with the multilayer stent – a short report

Background: Complex renal artery aneurysms (RAA) involving major branches of renal artery are difficult to treat. Surgery may be associated with extensive invasiveness and morbidity in the context of major intra-abdominal surgery. Stentgrafts or selective coil embolization are contraindicated when large branches are involved in the aneurysmal sac. A case of the patient with complex renal artery aneurysm involving all major arterial branches treated with a new type of multilayer stent is described. Case report: A 56-year old woman whose right kidney had been removed five years before because of renal cell carcinoma was incidentally found to have a large (22 x 26 mm) saccular aneurysm in the main left renal artery involving all three major branches of the renal artery. Via a percutaneous femoral approach a multilayer stent was deployed without complications. Blood flow inside the sac was immediately and significantly reduced. All the renal branches remained patent. Conclusion: New multilayer fluid modulating stent concept appears to be a very useful and attractive alternative to surgery or other endovascular techniques for those RAA involving or very close to major branch vessels, especially in patients with very high risk of loosing the only viable kidney, as in our case.

Non-cirrhotic and non-malignant acute extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (PVT): short- and long-term results.

This observational cohort study reports the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of 31 patients admitted for acute non-malignant, non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) over a 10-year period. Patients had a mean age of 43 years at admission and a mean duration of follow-up of 84 months. All patients were initially treated with anticoagulants. Complete recanalization occurred within 30 days after admission in 18 patients (58%), partially in nine patients (29%), and failed in four patients (13%). During follow-up, 10 patients (32%) had at least one episode of gastrointestinal bleeding. The probability of remaining bleed-free was 0.93 at 24 months and 0.61 at 48 months. Fundal varices were not controlled by endoscopic sclerotherapy, so all four patients underwent portosystemic shunt construction. To date, there has been no mortality. In conclusion, using a combination of different treatment options reduces the risk of death and late complications in patients with non-malignant, non-cirrhotic PVT.

Priporočila za odkrivanje in zdravljenje periferne arterijske bolezni

In the article, recommendations for the diagnostics in suspected peripheral arterial disease are presented together with therapeutic procedures and long-term follow-up of the affected patients.

Revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery alone for treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia

SummaryBackgroundSymptomatic patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) should be treated without much delay because symptoms of CMI are present in 43 % patients who present with acute mesenteric ischemia. There are few reported series with large numbers of patients undergoing surgery for CMI, and many controversies persist regarding the optimal surgical treatment. These controversies include the type of surgical repair (antegrade vs. retrograde bypass), and the number of arteries that should be treated (single- vs. multiple-vessel reconstruction). It was the aim of presented study to report our experience and long-term results with single-vessel bypass grafting from infrarenal aorta to superior mesenteric artery.MethodsPatients who were admitted because of mesenteric ischemia at the surgical clinics of University Clinical Center Maribor between January 1999 and January 2009 were identified with a computerized medical data registry. Patients who underwent revascularization for CMI with retrograde synthetic aortomesenteric bypass were included in the study. Demographics, clinical characteristics, imaging, and operative data were obtained from the medical records. Significant superior mesenteric artery stenosis (> 70 % diameter stenosis) was confirmed by spiral computed angiography. All patients underwent retrograde aortomesenteric arterial bypass with synthetic bypass graft originating from the infrarenal aorta. Doppler sonography combined with color Doppler was used to evaluate disease progression in patients at 3-month interval during the first year and from then at 6-month intervals. Endpoints of the study were occlusion of graft or death by any cause.ResultsData are presented for a cohort of 19 women and 8 men with a mean age at admission 73 years (range 56–88 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 71 months (range 1–118 months). There was one early death (4 %). Four patients died during the follow-up period, and three were lost for follow-up. None of the deaths was connected with mesenteric ischemia. During follow-up period none of the patients developed restenosis, and no occlusions were observed. There were no reinterventions. Symptom improvements were noted in 25 patients (93 %). One patient (4 %) referred to persistent pain despite successful revascularization, although during follow-up period weight gain was observed. At 71 months, freedom from recurrent symptoms, restenosis, and reinterventions was 78 % ± 13.9 %.ConclusionsSurgery for CMI can be safely performed with retrograde approach and single vessel anastomosis. Mortality rates and long-term survival compare favorably with other surgical approaches to treatment of CMI.

Ultrasound detection of septic jugular vein thrombosis

The two leading causes of IJVT are iatrogenic trauma secondary to jugular vein catheterization, and repeated IV injections by drug users. Lemierre syndrome is a complex and unusual clinical entity, characterized by septic thrombophlebitis of internal jugular vein. Lemierre syndrome was thought to be a rare and forgotten disease with suggested incidence of approximately one per million. However, an increase in frequency over the past years has been suggested due to changes in antibiotic usage. Unfortunately, wide spread antibiotic usage has also changed clinical picture of Lemierre syndrome and it is often difficult to recognize this unusual ilness in the Emergency Department (ED). Systemic septic complications may range from deep neck infection over septic arthritis to brain infections. Every organ system may be involved. Delays in diagnosis ranging up to 11 days after admission have been reported. When recognized and treated in early phase patients recover completely but other vise condition may be lethal. In emergency settings accurate and prompt diagnosis is crucial in satisfactory patient management. Diagnosis of Lemierres syndrome is simple with Doppler ultrasonography but it mostly requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. It has been suggested that bedside ultrasound of the internal jugular vein in ED before other radiologic imaging, may lead to rapid diagnosis and treatment of Lemierre syndrome. In last two years we treated five patients with Lemierre’s syndrome in our department. In one case young woman died because of sepsis and multiorgan failure due to delayed diagnosis. Rapid ultrasound examination of neck veins is discussed as a part of ED evaluation of patients.