Objective: Open surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) entails a relatively
high mortality and paraplegia risk, which can possibly be attenuated by endovascular
aortic repair (EVAR).
Patients and methods: From Sept. 2003 to July 2007, 14 patients were admitted for treatment of TAAA. 6
patients of this group (mean age 54,2 years, 2 male, 4 female) underwent visceral
transposition (VTr), followed by scheduled EVAR. VTr was carried out using a reversed
y-prosthesis with side branches to the renal arteries grafting the superior mesenteric
artery and the mesenteric trunk. All grafted arteries were ligated proximally. In
a second intervention, a custom-made stent graft was applied to cover aneurysmatic
aortic areas.
Results: The hybrid procedure was successfully completed in 5 patients. One patient is still
waiting for EVAR after VTr was done. There was no mortality (30 day), paraplegia or
stroke and one renal failure observed among the 6 patients. Follow up period was 2
to 28 months (mean 13,2). One patient died after 24 months for unknown reasons. However,
several complications had to be treated. There was no patient without complications
because every patient required one additional complication related intervention. The
mean number of procedures/patient was 4 (range 2–8). 27 vascular prostheses (mean
4,5/patient) and 15 endovascular stents (mean 3/patient) were implanted.
Conclusion: Despite low early mortality and paraplegia rate, a hybrid procedure consisting of
VTr and EVAR for treatment of TAAA cannot yet be regarded as more superior than surgical
repair due to high postoperative complication rate.