Open surgery is an important part of vascular surgery. For vascular surgery diseases not suitable for endovascular therapy, adjuvant methods of endovascular therapy and the ultimate means of treatment after failure, vascular graft infection, open vascular trauma, various tumors involving blood vessels, vascular reconstruction and complications of organ transplantation, iatrogenic vascular injury, and so on, open surgical procedures still need to be provided for treatment and development. This paper lists the important role that open surgery plays in supporting the treatment of vascular related diseases and the development of the discipline in surgery and internal medicine, and emphasizes that open surgery is still a necessary quality for vascular surgeons, the basis and important guarantee for the development of the discipline, and the guarantee for the timely and effective treatment of various complex and difficult vascular surgical diseases.
ObjectiveTo retrospective summarize the experience of endovascular repair and open surgery in the treatment of renal aneurysms in our single center.MethodsClinical data of 24 patients with renal aneurysm treated in our hospital from August 2012 to May 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Nine patients undergoing surgical intervention were categorized as the open operation group, and ten patients who received endovascular repair were classified as the endovascular repair group. To compare and analyze the results of the two groups. Five patients who had refused surgery therapy will be analyzed separately.ResultsTwenty-four patients with seventeen females (70.8%) and seven males (29.2%) were enrolled in this study and nineteen patients with twenty-three aneurysms got repaired successfully. The endovascular repair group had shorter hospital stay compared with the open operation group [median: 10.5 (P25 6.3, P75 15.0) d vs. 21.0 (P25 17.0, P75 27.5) d］. One patient in the open operation group developed renal artery stenosis at 11 months after surgery and underwent reoperation by repair by successful stent placement. There were no other significant postoperative complications occurred in the two groups. No abnormal enlargement or rupture of the aneurysms were observed during the follow-up period in 5 unoperated patients.ConclusionsBoth open surgery and endovascular repair are effective means of treating renal artery aneurysms. Once the renal aneurysm ruptures, serious consequences will occur. Once a renal aneurysm is diagnosed, regardless of the size of the aneurysm, active surgical treatment is recommend.
Objective To investigate pathogenesy and therapeutic prospect of diabetes mellitus accompanied lower limb vascular lesion. Methods Relevant literatures of recent years were reviewed. Results Diabetes mellitus is one of the main risk factor causing peripheral artery disease. The site of vascular lesion often occur in major blood vessel and micrangium. The arterial sclerosis and decreased blood supply in microcirculation are important factors of lower limb ischemia. Lower limb ischemia in patients with diabetes mellitus is a common complication. Medical treatment and surgical treatment are the methods to improve symptoms of the complication. Conclusion Surgical therapy is an effective method for the treatment of diabetes mellitus accompanied lower limb vascular lesion.
Surgical intervention for chronic thoracoabdominal aortic dissecting aneurysms (cTAADA) is regarded as one of the most challenging procedures in the field of vascular surgery. For nearly six decades, open repair predominantly utilizing prosthetic grafts has been the treatment of choice for cTAADA. With advances in minimally invasive endovascular technologies, two novel surgical approaches have emerged: total endovascular stent-graft repair and hybrid procedures combining retrograde debranching of visceral arteries with endovascular stent-graft repair (abbreviated as hybrid procedure). Although total endovascular stent-graft repair offers reduced trauma and quicker recovery, limitations persist in clinical application due to hostile anatomical requirements of the aorta, high costs, and the lack of universally available stent-graft products. Hybrid repair, integrating the minimally invasive ethos of endovascular repair with visceral artery debranching techniques, has increasingly become a significant surgical modality for managing thoracoabdominal aneurysms, especially in cases unsuitable for open surgery or total endovascular treatment due to anatomical constraints such as aortic tortuosity or narrow true lumens in dissections. Recent enhancements in hybrid surgical approaches include ongoing optimization of visceral artery reconstruction strategies based on hemodynamic analyses, and exploration of the comparative benefits of staged versus concurrent surgical interventions.
Objective To study the major postoperative complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm （AAA） repair in high-risk patients， analyze its causes， and suggest the prevention methods. Methods From January 2009 to September 2011， 57 cases of high-risk AAA patients underwent AAA repair in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. High-risk patients were defined as age≥60 years，the American Society of Anesthesiologists grade three or four，and at least one of complications about heart， lung， and kidney. Major postoperative complications were rated， and preoperative cardiac，pulmonary， and renal condition，anesthesia and surgical impact were taken into account while evaluating the risk factors of major postoperative complications. Results Forty-one of 57 high-risk patients with AAA were repaired by endovascular repair，16 of 57 high-risk patients with AAA were repaired by traditional open surgery. The early mortality （within 30d） was 1.8% （1/57）. The major postoperative complications rate of AAA repair was 19.3% （11/57） in total，and 8.8% （5/57），8.8% （5/57），and 1.8% （1/57） for cardiac complication，pulmonary complication， and acute renal failure，respectively. The patients with coronary heart disease had a higher cardiac complication rate 〔19.0% （4/21） versus 2.8% （1/36），χ2=4.387，P＜0.05〕 ， while with hypertension had no such effect for that〔10.3% （4/39） versus 5.6% （1/18），χ2=0.340，P＞0.05〕. Patients with abnormal pulmonary function was responsible for postoperative respiratory complications 〔20.0% （4/20） versus 5.6% （1/18）， χ2=4.387， P＜0.05〕 ， while with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease history was not responsible for that 〔13.2% （5/38） versus 0 （0/19），χ2=2.740，P＞0.05〕．Patients with preoperative renal function was not related to postoperative acute renal failure 〔0 （0/4） versus 1.9% （1/53）， χ2=0.077，P＞0.05〕. Compared with traditional open surgery，endovascular repair could effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications 〔12.2% （5/41） versus 37.5% （6/16）， χ2=3.980，P＜0.05〕. The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications in the local anesthesia patients was less than that in the general anesthesia patients 〔0（0/20）versus 19.0% （4/21），χ2=4.221，P＜0.05〕. Conclusions Cardiac and pulmonary complications are commonly seen after AAA repair in high-risk patients．Preoperative cardiac，pulmonary condition，anesthesia and surgical aspects greatly influence the major postoperative complications. Exhaustively assessment of each system before surgery，appropriate anesthesia and surgical options，postoperative active and effective symptomatic，and supportive treatment are the key to reducing the incidence of postoperative complications.
Objective To explore the diagnostic methods, therapy and the prognostic factors for the ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). Methods The clinical data of 23 patients (males 15, females 8, age range 35-78, mean age 65) with RAAA below the level of renal arteries, who were treated with surgery, were collected from April 1999 to December 2005 and were analyzed retrospectively. Seven cases had a history of RAAA, 6 cases had pulsating abdominal masses; 15 cases were diagnosed by emergency Doppler ultrasonic examination or CT. All of the patients underwent emergency surgical operation: The ruptures of the abdominal aorta below the level of renal arteries were obstructed by using clamp ring or using transluminal ballon according to conditions of each patient. The aritficial vascular graft was then taken after the control of hemorrhage. Results There were 9 (39%) patients died within 30 d after the emergency operation. The causes of death included acute renal failure because of hemorrhagic shock (4 cases), multiple organ failure (3 cases), and respiratory-circulatory failure (2 cases).Conclusion Surgery may be an effective treatment for RAAA. The critical step of the operation was to control hemorrhage by obstructing the proximal end of the aortic rupture according to the conditions of each patient. The main postoperative complications and causes of death include acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, renal failure and pneumonia.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of anatomical variations of the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) on clinical outcomes and imaging outcomes in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. MethodsThe clinical data of patients with TBAD in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2016 to December 2023 were collected, and the differences of clinical outcomes and imaging outcomes between patients with and without ILVA were compared. ResultsBased on the inclusion criteria and the result of propensity score-based matching, 82 patients with TBAD were included, including 17 patients with ILVA (ILVA group) and 65 patients without ILVA (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the radiological and surgical information (P>0.05). The median time of the follow-up for these 82 patients were 37 months, during which there were no significant differences in aortic-related death, aortic event, stroke, adverse aortic remodeling, type Ⅰ A endoleak, and retrograde progression between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the re-intervention rate [HR=2.56, 95%CI (1.55, 8.11), P=0.03] and the incidence of type Ⅱ internal leakage [OR=1.36, 95%CI (1.08, 2.11), P=0.04] in the ILVA group were higher. ConclusionsNo significant differences were observed for ILVA patients in terms of serious adverse events such as aortic-related death and retrograde progression, comparing with the patients with normal aortic arch. However, the patients with ILVA were more susceptible to complications such as reintervention and type Ⅱ endoleak, which warranted the necessity of intensive postoperative follow-up for these patients.
Objective To present and summarize the data concerning the treatment and prognosis of acute limb arterial embolism in West China Hospital. Methods Forty three patients with 52 limbs of acute arterial embolism were treated in West China Hospital from January 2003 to March 2006. There were 15 males and 28 females, aging from 26 years to 77 years 〔(58.88±13.90) years〕. The diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations and results of color Doppler sonography or DSA. The follow-up ranged from 1 month to 39 months. The following factors, which might influence the prognosis, were analysed through multiple linear regression of SPSS 10.0: age, sex, uper limb or lower limb, location of embolus, ischemic time, clinical categories of acute limb ischemia, history of smoking, atherosclerosis and other combined diseases, pervious history of acute limb arterial embolism, operative or nonoperative treatment, and postoperative complications. Results Clinical categories of acute limb ischemia include: Ⅰ (n=0),Ⅱa (n=16), Ⅱb (n=29), Ⅲ (n=7). The ischemic time varied from 3 h to 2 weeks. The sources of embolus: heart (n=39), vessle (n=7), iatrogenic origin (n=1), unidentidied origin (n=5). The therapies included embolectomy (n=38), catheter-directed thrombolysis (n=2) and medical treatment (n=12). The following postoperative complications occured: compartment syndrome (n=12), respiratory failure (n=3), alkalolsis (n=3), acute renal failure (n=2), wound infection (n=2) and pulmonary infection (n=1). Two patients died of cerebral infarction in hospital and one patient died of heart failure 3 months after discharge. Thirty-eight patients with 45 diseased limbs were followed up. The results were excellent in 13 limbs, good in 15 ones, fair in 8 ones and poor in 9 ones. The statistically significant influencing factors of prognosis include ischemic time, clinical categories of acute limb ischemia and history of smoking (P＜0.05). Conclusion The operation of embolectomy is the main treatment of acute limb arterial embolism. In selected patients, catheter-directed thrombolysis and medical treatment could be used to alleviate the limb ischemia. The treatment against the etiological factors should not be ignored. The prognosis of this disease could be influenced by ischemic time, clinical categories of acute limb ischemia and history of smoking.
Objective To present and summarize the data concerning the diagnosis and treatment of popliteal aneurysm in our hospital. Methods The data of popliteal aneurysm in our hospital from 1975 to 2004 were reviewed and analyzed. Eleven patients with 11 diseased limbs were treated, including 8 males and 3 females, age from 21 years to 64 years 〔(48.54±13.66) years〕. The combined diseases include syphilis, rheumatic heart disease and chronic obstructire pulmonary disease etc. Ten patients received operations, including endoaneurysmorrhaphy (n=4) and graft bypass after aneurysmal resection (n=6), through posterior approach (n=7) or medial approach (n=3). One patient, combined with advanced syphilis and heart failure, received conservative treatment because of his poor general condition. Results The common clinical manifestations included popliteal pulsating mass, claudication, difficulty in extension of the knee, pain etc. Acute ischemia occurred in 3 limbs. The diameter of popliteal aneurysms varied from 4-13 cm 〔（6.73±2.69) cm〕. There were 3 (27.3%) cases of ruptured aneurysms whose diameters were 7 cm, 7 cm and 11 cm respectively. Special examinations included arteriography and Doppler sonography. Pathological results of these patients were pseudoaneurysm (n=3), syphilitic aneurysm (n=3) and atherosclerotic aneurysm (n=4). Two patients were not followed up, and postoperative follow up of the other 8 patients ranged from 18 months to 30 years. In the group of endoaneurysmorrhaphy, postoperative gangrene of the affected limb occurred in one patient, and above-knee amputation was performed. One patient suffered from intermittent claudication in the group of endoaneurysmorrhaphy and of graft bypass respectively. No manifestations of limb ischemia were found in the other 5 patients during the time of follow up. Conclusion General utilization of Doppler sonography in screening high risk patients might be helpful to detect popliteal aneurysm. For symptomatic popliteal aneurysm or asymptomatic popliteal aneurysm with diameter larger than 3 cm, operation is indicated. Asymptomatic popliteal aneurysms no more than 3 cm in diameter could be monitored with care.
Objective To identify and analyze all medical injury liability disputes lawsuits pertaining to inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) in “Lexis®China” database, the causes and outcomes of litigation of the cases were clarified with a view, and to provide suggestions for preventing potential medical patient dispute lawsuits and improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment level of doctors. Method The term “inferior vena cava filter” was searched in Lexis®China, and spanning from 2011-01-01 to 2022-12-31. Results A total of 221 cases of medical injury liability disputes were found, after screening and exclusion, a total of 179 relevant cases were included in this study for analysis. All first instance lawsuits were brought by patients against hospitals and had a high rate of compensation awarded (91.6%). Forty four cases were entered second instance litigation, and the proportion of maintaining the original judgment was high (68.2%). The main content involving the modification of the judgment was to increase the compensation amount (85.7%). In the 14 lawsuits related to the failure to place IVCF by the medical authority, the litigation points were all disputes arising from the hospital’s improper diagnosis and treatment of VTE patients, which led to the failure to place IVCF, with the highest proportion (92.3%) of improper diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE). For PE and deep vein thrombosis patients with clear indications for IVCF implantation but not placed, leading to litigation, the hospital bore different liability for compensation (18%–100%) depending on the fault factors of the hospital’s negligence in diagnosis and treatment. The hospital could also be held responsible for inadequate informed disclosure to affect patient judgment (23.1%). In 165 lawsuits related to the placement of IVCF, the vast majority of IVCF implants were for the diagnosis and treatment of VTE in patients (73.9%). However, such unplanned operations caused additional injuries and expenses to patients, and VTE occurred most frequently during hospitalization (76.2%). This type of embolism was most commonly secondary to fracture incision and fixation surgery (31.2%), and the average liability of hospitals for compensation varied due to different secondary factors. The occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications related to IVCF implantation could also lead to litigation (18.8%), and the proportion of dead patients in litigation was relatively high (32.3%). The most common complication leading to litigation was PE recurrence or exacerbation (22.5%), while intraoperative complications were vascular injury during interventional procedures (2/3). The overall trend of IVCF-related lawsuits reserves between 2011 and 2020 showed an overall upward trend, reaching a peak of 37 cases in 2020; the average amount of damages exceeded 100 000 yuan per case in 10 of the 12 years included in the statistics. Conclusions In China’s IVCF-related medical liability lawsuits, patients most often sue their doctors, who are often sued for failure to insert a filter due to untimely diagnosis and treatment of VTE, inadequate notification of informed consent for IVCF insertion, unplanned IVCF insertion due to the presence of VTE and IVCF-related complications, and the outcome is often unfavourable to the doctors. In addition, the number of IVCF related lawsuits and hospital compensation amounts have remained high in recent years.