Oskam J, van den Dungen J J, Boontje A H
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Cardiovasc Surg. 1996 Jun;4(3):356-9. doi: 10.1016/0967-2109(95)00076-3.
A retrospective case study was carried out from 1971-1990, with a median follow-up of 7 years, to assess the long-term results of thromboendarterectomy of the common iliac artery. The study included 94 consecutive patients, median age 52 years, of whom 84 suffered from atherosclerotic obstructive common iliac disease causing claudication, and 10 suffered from rest pain. Bilateral disease was present in 67 patients, and unilateral disease in 27. A total of 163 semiclosed endarterectomies (with the ringstripper) were performed. The mean ankle:brachial pressure index rose from 0.66 to 0.98. All patients with claudication became symptom-free after endarterectomy. Postoperative morbidity was low and there was no postoperative mortality. Recurrent aortoiliac symptoms were seen in 25 patients, leading to aortobifemoral bypass grafting in 12 cases. The primary cumulative patency rate at 5 and 10 years was 83% and 68% respectively. Thromboendarterectomy of the common iliac artery is a safe procedure with few complications and good long-term results. It is an effective method of treating common iliac artery stenoses or occlusions.
