[Popliteal aneurysm].

At our institution operative repair was undertaken for 67 popliteal aneurysms in 45 patients between 1986 and 1991. In 24 cases emergency surgery was necessary: acute critical ischemia due to thrombosis or embolism in 22 cases, and rupture of the aneurysm in 2 cases. Two patients died within the first 30 postoperative days. Four major amputations could not be avoided. On the other hand, elective surgical intervention was possible in 43 cases without operative morbidity and mortality. Given the high incidence of serious complications such as thrombosis or embolism in popliteal aneurysms, and the reduced success rate of surgery in acute critical ischemia, surgical correction upon diagnosis is especially recommended in aneurysms with intraluminal thrombus.