Visceral artery aneurysms

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) frequently present as life-threatening emergencies. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with VAA treatment. Between 1988 and April 2002, 31 VAA were treated in 28 patients (14 males, 14 females) with average age of 55 15 years. The most common locations were the splenic artery (16) and the hepatic artery (7). Three patients underwent emergency surgery, 22 patients had elective open surgery, and 7 patients underwent endovascular treatment. In the surgical group the perioperative mortality rate was 3.6%. The perioperative morbidity rate was 7.1% (one case of respiratory distress manifested in the immediate postoperative period and one urgent case of bilious fistula). In the endovascular group none of the patients died; the perioperative morbidity rate was of 14.3% (one case of hepatic artery thrombosis after failure of gastroduodenal artery aneurysm embolization). Failure of the procedure was 42.9% (3 cases of aneurysm recanalization). In conclusion, we believe that an aggressive surgical approach is justified, even in the case of asymptomatic VAA, because of the low morbidity and mortality rates. Endovascular treatment should be reserved for selected cases.