Suprarenal mycotic aortic aneurysm: surgical management and follow-up

Abstract

A case is reported of a rare 7 cm saccular mycotic aneurysm that developed in the suprarenal abdominal aorta of a severely atherosclerotic 63-year-old man from presumed hematogenous inoculation of an atherosclerotic plaque. At operation a right axillobifemoral artery bypass graft was performed along with autotransplantation of the left kidney to the left common iliac vessels and the suprarenal aorta was ligated, excised, and widely debrided. The patient recovered and was in good health for 6 months when sudden occlusion of his axillofemoral graft required thrombectomy for limb salvage and to preserve renal function. Elective thoracoaortic to bilateral iliac artery bypass was successfully undertaken 8 months after the initial operation. However, the patient suffered a fatal myocardial infarction 2 weeks after operation. At autopsy a well-perfused nephrosclerotic kidney, healed aortic ligation, and no graft infections were found.