Risk factors for elective and urgent open conversion after EVAR-a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the standard procedure for treating infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Various associated complications can lead to open conversion (OC). Thorough follow-up after the procedure is mandatory for the early detection of complications. Persisting perfusion of the aneurysm, a so-called endoleak (EL), paired with structural instability because of aortic wall atrophy and impaired cell functionality induced by EVAR, results in a high risk for aortic rupture.

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to detect the risk factors for elective and urgent OC as a result of EVAR-induced pathophysiological changes inside the aortic wall.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis was performed on all open aortic repairs from January 2016 to December 2020.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Fifty patients were identified as treated by OC for failure of an infrarenal EVAR. The patients were divided into two subgroups, here depending on the urgency of surgery. Statistical analysis of patient characteristics and outcomes was performed.

RESULTS

The most common indications for OC were various types of EL (74%), resulting in an aortic rupture in 15 patients. Patients with insufficient or absent follow-up were treated more frequently in an emergency setting (16% vs. 63%). The mortality rate was higher in cases of emergency OC (3% vs. 26%).

CONCLUSIONS

Particularly in cases of insufficient or absent follow-up, complications such as EL pose an enormous risk for fatal aortic rupture.

Inflammation of the rectal remnant endangers the outcome of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Inflammation of the rectal remnant may affect the postoperative outcome of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to determine the extent of inflammation in the anastomotic area during IPAA and to investigate the impact of proctitis on postoperative complications and long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Three hundred thirty-four UC patients with primary IPAA were included in this retrospective case-control study. The histopathologic degree of inflammation in the anastomotic area was graded into three stages of no proctitis ("NOP"), mild to medium proctitis ("MIP"), and severe proctitis ("SEP"). Preoperative risk factors, 30-day morbidity, and follow-up data were assessed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed in the event of pouch failure.

RESULTS

The prevalence of proctitis was high (MIP 40.4%, and SEP 42.8%). During follow-up, the incidence of complications was highest among SEP: resulting in re-intervention (n = 40; 28.2%, p = 0.017), pouchitis (n = 36; 25.2%, p < 0.01), and pouch failure (n = 32; 22.4%, p = 0.032). The time interval to pouch failure was 5.0 (4.0-6.9) years among NOP, and 1.2 (0.5-2.3) years in SEP (p = 0.036). ASA 3, pouchitis, and pouch fistula were independent risk factors for pouch failure.

CONCLUSION

Proctitis at the time of IPAA is common. A high degree of inflammation is associated with poor long-term outcomes, an effect that declines over time. In addition, a higher degree of proctitis leads to earlier pouch failure.

Aortic aneurysm and aortic graft infection related to Mycobacterium bovis after intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guérin therapy-a case series

Background

So called “mycotic” aortic aneurysms account for only 0.7 to 1.3% of all aortic aneurysms and are commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella species. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is part of the therapy of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Case presentation

We report a case series of three patients with a mycobacterial graft infection related to BCG after surgical treatment of a presumed mycotic aortic aneurysm as an extremely rare complication after NMIBC treatment. All three patients developed aortic aneurysm after BCG instillation and subsequent mycobacterial graft infection.

Conclusion

Diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion because of its nonspecific symptoms and imaging. The pathogen is not detected by standard microbiological testing. Treatment includes triple antimycobacterial therapy and radical surgical interventions. Graft preservation may be considered if no anastomosis is involved.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01142-1.

Aortic Foreign Body Caused by Rupture of Endobag after EVAS Using the Nellix Aneurysm Sealing System-A Case Report

The Nellix aneurysm sealing system aims at sealing the cavity of the sac of the aneurysm, to reduce typical complications such as migration or endoleak. We report on a case of a unique device-associated complication: rupture and displacement of the filling material into the aortic lumen, causing peripheral ischemia and imminent renal and visceral occlusion, in a patient with anastomotic ulcer after an open aortobiiliac bypass and calcified and tortuous iliac arteries. The material was removed by open surgery. The patient recovered completely. The device should be handled with great caution in cases with hostile access routes, and in secondary interventions.