Autologous Bifurcated Carotid Artery Reconstruction: Technique and 2 Year Follow Up

Carotid Artery Reconstruction with an Autologous Bifurcated Saphenous Vein Graft

We present a new technique for carotid artery reconstruction using a modified bifurcated saphenous vein graft in a patient with a malignant neck tumor. This technique can optimize the size match between the SVG and common carotid artery, as well as the internal and external carotid arteries. Post operative computed tomography performed a year after the operation demonstrated excellent graft alignment and patent carotid arteries.

Long-Term Results of Autologous Bifurcated Carotid Artery Reconstructions

BACKGROUND

Carotid bifurcation revascularization using interposition grafts is rare. While internal carotid artery (ICA) revascularization is regarded as mandatory, the external carotid artery (ECA) is severed in most instances. Long-term results of an autologous bifurcated carotid artery reconstruction are discussed.

METHODS

Single-center, retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients treated at an academic vascular surgery center.

RESULTS

From December 2006 to November 2019, fifty-one patients underwent reconstruction of the carotid artery using an autologous bifurcated interposition graft (38 males, 75%; median age: 68.7 years; interquartile range [IQR]: 60.2-76.5). Thirty-eight patients were asymptomatic (74.5%). Indication for reconstruction was recurrent carotid stenosis unfavorable for endovascular treatment/redo patch plasty (n = 32, symptomatic: n = 7), carotid aneurysm (n = 11, symptomatic: n = 5), neck tumor with vascular involvement (n = 7), trauma (n = 1). Nonreversed valve depleted saphenous vein y-graft from the groin was used in 49 (94.2%) and reversed cubital vein bifurcation in 3 (5.8%) procedures. The median ICA cross-clamp time was 15 min (IQR: 13-20 min). In four procedures (7.7%), a shunt was inserted because of a significant decrease of cerebral perfusion. In one patient, additional intraoperative stent placement of a proximal common carotid artery (CCA) stenosis was performed. Six patients suffered from ischemic neurological deficits (11.5%), all but 1 recovered with no or moderate symptoms. After a median follow-up of 5.2 years (IQR: 1.1-8.7 years), 7 significant asymptomatic stenoses (13.5%) and 2 occlusions (3.8%, one symptomatic) of the ICA, two significant asymptomatic CCA stenoses (3.8%), five significant stenoses (9.6%) and 7 asymptomatic occlusions (13.5%) of the ECA were observed. This prompted 7 re-redo-interventions in 5 patients. Twenty-eight patients (54.9%) died after a median follow-up of 3.3 years (IQR: 0.5-5.6 years). Two of these patients died due to conditions related to the performed carotid artery reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous bifurcated carotid artery interposition graft provides results comparable to other complex ICA revascularizations. Overall survival in this heterogeneous patient cohort is poor. Due to the high risk of stroke and poor long-term outcome, this procedure should be reserved for symptomatic patients with no other option for revascularization.

Carotid artery and soft tissue reconstruction with superficial femoral artery-sartorius muscle-anteromedial thigh chimeric free flap: A case report and review of the literature

Tumoral involvement of the carotid artery may require en-bloc resection in order to achieve a better regional control. Among the carotid reconstruction methods at disposal, autologous tissues appear to be more reliable in cases with high risk of infection and poor tissue healing like in radiated necks. We describe a case of a 55 year old man, who suffered from recurrent squamous cell carcinoma in the neck region, invading the common carotid artery. After en-bloc resection of the tumor together with skin, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve and common carotid artery, carotid reconstruction was performed with a flow-through chimeric flap based on superficial femoral vessels (15 cm). After resection of the tumor, the flap was used to replace the soft tissue defect (23 × 12 cm). Anteromedial thigh skin paddle (8 × 5 cm) and sartorius muscle (12 × 3 cm) were included in the flap. The superficial femoral vessels were reconstructed with 8-mm ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft interposition. Thanks to an accurate surgical planning and a 2-team approach, the ischemia time of the leg was 42 min and there were no limb ischemia nor pathologic neurological signs after surgery. During the 12-month follow up, no other complication was registered. In our experience, microsurgical carotid reconstruction represents a reliable option with important advantages such as resistance to infection, optimal size matching, and good tissue healing between the irradiated carotid stump and the vascular graft.