Objective: We evaluated the early and late postoperative outcome of aorto/iliofemoral bypass operations using a retroperitoneal approach.
Methods: From December 1999 until the end of December 2005, unilateral aorto/iliofemoral bypass was performed on 23 patients (3 female, 20 male) for unilateral iliac occlusive disease. The average age was 57 years (range: from 45 to 68 years). Operative indications were claudication in seven patients, rest pain in 14 patients, and non-healing ulcer or gangrene in two patients.
Results: Surgical procedures included aortofemoral bypass in ten patients, iliofemoral bypass in 12 patients and aortoiliac bypass in one patient. Simultaneous femoropopliteal bypass was performed on seven patients. Mean follow-up period was 2.5 +/- 0.31 years. Graft patency was 100% during this period.
Conclusions: A retroperitoneal approach for unilateral iliac obstructive disease is a valuable and well-tolerated alternative to conventional aortobilateral reconstruction in unilateral symptomatic aorto-iliac disease with excellent long-term outcome.