Prevention and management of ureteral injuries during aortic surgery

Giant External Iliac Artery Aneurysm

Isolated external iliac artery aneurysms are a very rare occurrence. We present the case of a patient with a very large symptomatic isolated external iliac artery aneurysm found incidentally on imaging for other reasons. Due to his compressive symptoms, he underwent uncomplicated open repair of his aneurysm. We also discuss the etiology and management options for this rare entity.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The role of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) continues to evolve and expand at a rapid pace. The advanced age and frailty of many TAVR candidates often presents complex vascular access challenges when contemplating the exact route of valve delivery. As the indications and approved routes of delivery have evolved, so have the direct open vascular and percutaneous techniques paramount to success. We review the spectrum of access options that may be available for consideration during TAVR procedures and highlight the “pearls and pitfalls” of each technique. We additionally highlight reasons a technique may be preferred for a specific patient subset, as well as the concerns addressed by the anesthesiologist in approaching TAVR.

Large minimally symptomatic iatrogenic urinoma presenting three years after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

We describe a case of a large, minimally symptomatic, urinoma presenting 3 years after emergent repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. We discuss the symptoms and signs, as well as the imaging, treatment and prevention options, for this rare complication. Because of the high mortality associated with delayed diagnosis of ureteral injury, a high index of suspicion should be maintained in patients who had surgery adjacent to the ureters.

Prostheto-ureteral fistula: a rare complication after aortic graft surgery

Prostheto-ureteral fistula after aortic graft surgery is a potentially life-threatening, rare pathology. We report the successful treatment of a prostheto-ureteral fistula that caused hematuria with hemorrhagic shock in two patients by explantation of aortic prosthetic grafts and implantation of a silver-bonded prosthetic graft (Intergard S, Intervascular). These cases show that this surgical procedure is effective, and that straightforward diagnostic procedures are necessary to initiate correct therapeutic approach without delay. Various different possible risk factors for the formation of a prostheto-ureteral fistula are also discussed.

Persistent chronic peri-aortitis (‘inflammatory aneurysm’) after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Data on the outcome of aneurysmal chronic peri-aortitis (‘inflammatory aneurysm’) after open surgical aneurysm repair are few and contradictory. To what extent this inflammatory process is reversed after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is even more unclear. The objective of this review was to study the outcome of peri-aortic fibrosis (PAF) and ureteral obstruction in patients with aneurysmal chronic peri-aortitis treated with open surgery or EVAR. Medical literature was searched for pertinent articles on the outcome of PAF and ureteral obstruction after open surgery or EVAR from 1970 through October 2007. Studies were included if specific follow-up data were available on outcomes of interest. A total of 19 studies were included comprising 478 patients (open surgical, n = 426; EVAR, n = 52). Age, sex and percentage of patients with ureteral obstruction (31% vs 37%) did not differ between groups. Regression of PAF occurred more frequently after open surgery compared to EVAR (86% vs 60%; p < 0.0001). Complete regression of PAF was more frequent after open surgery compared to EVAR (52% vs 14%; p < 0.0001). After excluding patients in whom concurrent ureterolysis was performed, the frequency of persistent ureteral obstruction remained lower in patients treated surgically compared to patients treated with EVAR, albeit not statistically significant (32% vs 56%; p = 0.09). In conclusion, although open surgery is superior to EVAR in achieving regression of chronic peri-aortitis, the frequency of persistent PAF and/or ureteral obstruction is not negligible. Additional medical and/or urological treatment should be considered in selected cases of aneurysmal chronic peri-aortitis.

Ureteral perigraft fistula

Ureteral injury following aortic surgery occurs in less than 1% of all cases. Ureteral-arterial fistulae rarely occur in the current literature and only in case reports. This case involves a suspected ureteral aortic graft fistula presenting with acute hematuria with distant history of redo aortic bifemoral graft for aortoenteric fistula. Cystoscopy with retrograde pyelogram was performed and demonstrated what appeared to be a fistula between the left ureter and the aortic graft with a proximal hydroureter and hydronephrosis. After a detailed review of the films, we diagnosed a more benign ureteral perigraft fistula. Multidisciplinary management including urology and vascular surgery suggested conservative management. However, the patient later required more definitive therapy for his illness. This case demonstrates a ureteral perigraft fistula and displays how it appears radiographically. Here we present our experience with this new radiological diagnosis.

Urological manifestations of vascular disease

We have detailed several of the urological manifestations of vascular disease. With the aging of the North American population, urologists will encounter the urological complications of vascular disease with ever-increasing frequency.