[Aneurysm of the popliteal artery. Prognostic and therapeutic criteria].

Experience of the management of 45 patients affected by popliteal artery aneurysms is reported. All patients, but one, underwent operative treatment. The importance of immediate surgical reconstruction whenever a popliteal artery aneurysm has been detected is stressed. In fact the most frequent complication represented by sudden thrombosis of the aneurysmatic sac and/or by peripheral embolization is generally followed by an irreversible closure of the vascular run off, determining the high rate of failures (28% in our experience) in spite of a prompt surgical reconstructive procedure.