Hepatic artery aneurysm: an ever present danger

Abstract

Hepatic artery aneurysms are infrequent vascular lesions, difficult to diagnose preoperatively manifesting themselves usually by acute rupture. We report our experience in both diagnosis and surgical treatment of 3 cases. The selective angiograph of the celiac tripod and of superior mesenteric artery, is an indispensable means able, not only to put forward a certain diagnosis, but also to supply precious notions on the possibilities of compensation on the side of the collateral circle and of consequence, to suggest operative tactics. Surgical management may range from the simple binding to the reconstruction of the hepatic arterial axis by means of prosthesis grafts and if possible to the simple excision and termino-terminal regraft.