Outcomes of open and endovascular repair for ruptured and nonruptured internal iliac artery aneurysms

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of open (OR) and endovascular repair (II-EVAR) of internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) with or without preservation of internal iliac artery (IIA) flow.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of consecutive patients treated for IIAAs between 2001 and 2012. End-points were morbidity, mortality, graft patency, and freedom from pelvic ischemic symptoms (buttock claudication, ischemic colitis, and spinal cord injury).

Results: There were 97 patients, 87 male and 10 female, with mean age of 74 ± 8 years. A total of 125 IIAAs (71 unilateral and 27 bilateral) with mean diameter of 3.6 ± 2 cm were treated. Eighty-two patients (86%) had elective repair and 15 (14%) required emergent repair (mean size, 6.7 ± 2.4 cm; range, 3.6-10 cm). OR in 60 patients (62%; 49 elective, 11 emergent) included IIA bypass in 36 (60%) patients and endoaneurysmorrhaphy in 24 (40%). II-EVAR in 37 patients (38%; 30 elective, 4 emergent) required IIA embolization in 29, iliac branch device in five or open IIA bypass in three, combined with bifurcated aortic stent grafts in 17. Early mortality was 1% for elective (1/49 open, 0/33 endovascular) and 7% for emergent repair (1/11 open, 0/4 endovascular). Early morbidity (43% vs 8%; P < .001) and length of stay (9 vs 1 day; P < .001) were significantly higher for OR as compared with II-EVAR. Pelvic ischemic complications occurred in 25 patients (26%), including hip claudication in 23, ischemic colitis in two, and paraplegia in one. Freedom from buttock claudication at 2 years was 25% in patients with no IIA preserved, 68% with preservation of one, and 95% with preservation of both IIAs (P = .002). Freedom from buttock claudication was higher after OR than after II-EVAR (79% vs 59%; P = .05). Primary and secondary patency rates of IIAA bypasses were 95%, and 80% at 1 and 3 years, respectively.

Conclusions: II-EVAR of IIAAs is associated with fewer complications and shorter hospital stay compared with OR. Open and endovascular IIA reconstructions have very good long-term patency, and preservation of IIA flow is associated with higher freedom from buttock claudication.