Methods: The study included consecutive 92 patients (76 males, 16 females; mean age 70.5±9.3 years; range 48 to 92 years) with isolated abdominal aortic aneurysms who were performed aortic stent grafting with endovascular technique between July 2010 and August 2013. Treatment indications were fusiform aneurysms in 79 patients (85.8%), and saccular aneurysms in 13 patients (14.1%). Polytetrafluoroethylene covered stent grafts were used in all patients. Computed tomographic angiography was used for follow-up.
Results: Patients mean diameter of aneurysm was 61.5±12.2 mm. Aortobiiliac stent grafts were successfully placed in all patients. General anesthesia was performed in 66 (71.7%) and spinal anesthesia in 26 (28.2%) patients. There was no mortality during the procedures. As additional procedure, chimney grafting to renal arteries was performed in five patients and embolization of the internal iliac artery in two patients. No blood transfusions were required and all patients were discharged on postoperative first day. In early postoperative period, type 1 endoleak was observed in five patients (5.43%) and type 2 endoleak in five patients (5.43%). In follow-up, proximal aortic extensions were placed in five patients due to type 1 endoleak as an additional endovascular procedure. Type 2 endoleaks disappeared in mid-term spontaneously.
Conclusion: Endovascular treatment of isolated abdominal aortic aneurysms remarkably decreases mortality and morbidity, need for intensive care and blood transfusion, and duration of hospital stay. Endoleaks, which are the most important problems, can also be handled with endovascular methods.