Aneurysms of the renal artery: surgical management with special reference to extracorporeal surgery and autotransplantation.

27 patients underwent surgical arterial reconstruction for renal artery aneurysms. Hypertension was present in 21 cases. The indication for surgery was the prevention of hemorrhagic rupture in association with hypertension. Extracorporeal surgery was performed 13 times for complex aneurysms involving several branches of the renal artery. Simple autotransplantation was performed 3 times for aneurysms located on the main renal artery. In situ surgery was performed on 11 patients (5 aneurysmectomy-arteriorrhaphies and 7 bypass operations). Results on high blood pressure showed that 10 of the 14 hypertensive patients operated by extracorporeal surgery and/or autotransplantation were cured. 1 delayed nephrectomy was performed in this group and 1 death was observed. 39 of the 46 peripheral anastomoses were patent postoperatively. All patients treated with aneurysmectomy-arteriorrhaphy were cured. In patients treated with bypass operations, 3 thromboses of the bypass and 2 failures on hypertension were observed. Aneurysmectomy and simple arterioplasty are preferred for simple renal artery aneurysms. For complex lesions involving several branches and of an intrarenal location, extracorporeal surgery and autotransplantation represent an effective treatment on hypertension and preservation of kidney function.