NEW METHODS OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF DEGENERATIVE DISEASES OF THE ABDOMINAL AORTA

Abstract

During the past 2 yrs. 14 patients with degenerative disease of the abdominal aorta were operated upon. An aneurysm below the level of the renal arteries was present in 7. In 7 of the patients there was a complete block of the bifurcation of the aorta (Leriche Syndrome). In each case the diseased area of the aorta was resected and the continuity restored by placing a preserved homologous graft into the defect. There was no mortality due to technical difficulties in the operating room. One patient died 1 wk. post-operatively from a cerebral vascular accident. Thirteen patients are alive and well. There was complete relief of symptoms in almost all of the patients. There was no aneurysmal dilatation of the preserved homologous grafts, nor was there evidence of delayed thrombosis of the grafts. The selection of patients suitable for grafting is discussed. A brief case history of each patient is presented. The results in this group of patients were excellent.