TRUE FEMORAL ARTERY ANEURYSMS

Background: True aneurysm of the femoral artery is a rare pathology. However some authors reported that the outcome of the patients with femoral aneurysm are relatively benign, there are limited study about treatment strategies and postoperative course. In this report, we describe seven case of true atherosclerotic aneurysm of femoral artery and evaluate surgical results.

Methods: Data were collected on a total of 7 consecutive patients undergoing surgical repair of femoral true aneurysm between 1 January 2000 and 1 September 2006 in our clinic. According to Cutler and Darling Classification there was type I femoral artery aneurysm in tree patients, type II in one patient, bilateral superficial femoral artery aneurysm in one, type I on right extremity and type II on left extremity in one patient. The last patient had left type I femoral artery aneurysm and right isolated deep femoral artery aneurysm. One patient had symptoms related to microembolization. There was no symptom in tree patients.

Result: All patients were operated under general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. We performed deep femoral artery ligation in one patient and synthetic graft interposition in others. Surgical intervention was performed on only one extremity in- patient with bilateral superficial femoral artery aneurysm. The other aneurysm was too small; surgical intervention was not performed. There was no mortality, morbidity, and amputation.

Conclusion: Although complications related to true femoral artery aneurysms are rare, but surgical intervention is simple and safe. Considering the risk of limb-threatening complications like as rupture or distal embolization early diagnosis and surgical intervention are recommended. (Turkish J Vasc Surg 2006;15(3):37-40).