Open Repair for Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysm: Short and Long-term Results

Abstract

Background: The recent technological evolution has also allowed for the treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysm (JAA) with an endovascular technique, but short- and long-term results must be compared with the results of open treatment, which is the gold standard. In this study, we analyzed the short- and long-term results of open surgical treatment (open repair) in patients with JAA in our series.

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2016, 155 patients were treated for JAA with open repair; the data were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 71.17 years (standard deviation [SD] 7.1), and mean size of aneurysm was 6.15 cm (SD 1.1). The ASA classes 2, 3, and 4 were 20%, 74% and 6%, respectively. Follow-up included clinical visit and abdominal aorta Duplex scan after 1 and 6 months and annually. The mean follow-up interval was 48.6 (SD 32.4) months.

Results: The mean surgical time was 256 min (SD 69), the mean stay in the intensive care unit was 1.6 days (SD 1.2), and the mean total hospital stay was 10.2 days (SD 4.3). Aortic cross-clamping was usually suprarenal (110, 71%); in 39 (25%), the aortic clamping was between the renal arteries, and 6 patients (4%) required a supraceliac cross-clamping. The mean renal ischemia time due to aortic clamping was 17 min (SD 3.5). In 32 patients (21%), the left renal vein was sectioned for performing proximal aortic anastomosis and then reconstructed. Twelve patients (8%) required a renal revascularization, and in 49 patients (32%), an hypogastric bypass was performed. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.6%, and only 1 patient died in the postoperative due to intestinal infarction. The postoperative morbidities occurred in 15 cases (10%). Six patients had dehiscence of the laparotomy without the involvement of the muscle, 4 patients had an asymptomatic small increase of the troponin, and in 3 patients, there was an increase in creatinine >1.8 mg/dL. No dialysis was performed. Two patients had peripheral embolism in the lower limbs. Twenty-six patients (15%) died in the follow-up, but causes have never been related to aortic disease.

Conclusions: Open repair of JAA is still safe, effective, and durable also in the long-term period and even in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.