The popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the early and long-term results of vascular reconstruction for popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). Fourteen patients (18 legs) who underwent surgical treatment for PAES over a 10-year period were included. Seven patients underwent simple myotomy and remained symptom-free for a 5- to 96-month follow-up period. Seven patients underwent myotomy and vein graft: the graft remained patent in four cases, in one case the graft thrombosed and was successfully reoperated on, and two patients remain asymptomatic without palpable pulses. Of the three patients with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft, one is symptom-free with a patent graft, one continues to present with intermittent claudication (IC), whereas the third subsequently underwent above-knee amputation. PAES, a congenital abnormality, requires surgical treatment and any conservative management may be deleterious. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance because in the early stage, simple surgical procedure offers a permanent therapeutic result. Thus, every young sportsperson, with even minor lower extremity problems, should be examined by a vascular surgeon.