Review of Direct Anatomical Open Surgical Management of Atherosclerotic Aorto-Iliac Occlusive Disease

Background: Aortofemoral bypass(AFB), iliofemoral bypass(IFB), and aortoiliac endarterectomy(AIE) are the three most common techniques for anatomical open surgical revascularisation for patients with aorta-iliac occlusive disease(AIOD), but the optimal method of reconstruction is unknown. Aims: To review and compare mortality, morbidity and short- and long-term patency rates for AFB, IFB and AIE in patients with AIOD reported in the English language literature Methods: A MEDLINE(1970-2007) and Cochrane Library search for articles relating to AFB, IFB, AIE and AIOD was undertaken. Studies were included if: a) patency rates based on life-tables were available, and b) patient/study characteristics were reported. Results: 29 studies(5738 patients) for AFB, 11 studies(778 patients) for IFB and 11 studies(1490 patients) for AIE were included. Operative mortality was 4.1% for AFB, 2.7% for IFB and 2.7% for AIE (p <0.0001). Systemic morbidity was 16.0% for AFB, 18.9% for IFB and 12.5% for AIE (p <0.05). Overall 5-year primary patency rates were 86.3%, 85.3% and 88.3% for AFB, IFB and AIE, respectively (p = NS). Conclusion: Aorta-iliac endarterectomy was associated with significantly lower pen-operative morbidity and mortality rates compared with bypass grafting. All three techniques were equally effective in terms of long-term patency. (C) 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.