Peripheral Anastomotic Aneurysms: Development Following Arterial Reconstruction With Prosthetic Grafts

ANASTOMOTIC aneurysms have been an infrequent complication of arterial reconstruction with prosthetic materials. An increased incidence of vascular procedures, however, has resulted in an increased frequency of this complication. Successful management of these problems may present many difficulties to the surgeon and is especially vexing if infection has occurred. Clinical Material A review of the records of the patients who underwent vascular reconstructive operations in five hospitals in this community during the ten-year period 1956 to 1966 revealed that 20 anastomotic aneurysms had occurred in peripheral arteries. Eighteen of the aneurysms developed at the site of an anastomosis with the femoral artery and two developed in the popliteal artery. Prosthetic fabric grafts had been utilized in the operative treatment of arteriosclerotic occlusive disease in all the patients. The anastomoses were performed with either 4-0 or 5-0 braided arterial silk sutures. The presenting symptom in most patients was the presence of