Aneurysms of the internal iliac artery: management strategy.

With the widespread use of CT scans, detection and treatment of internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIA) have become more frequent. In the last few years, endovascular repair has been added to the therapeutic arsenal. We reviewed the records of 38 patients treated for 44 IIA between 1987 and 1997 to assess immediate and long-term outcome using various therapeutic methods. Aneurysms were divided into three groups according to the circumstances of treatment. Group I included 25 IIA treated at the same time as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The morbidity/mortality rate in this group was comparable to that in patients who underwent isolated AAA repair. Group II included 14 IIA treated during follow-up of AAA repair. Most complications in this group were intraoperative. Group III included five isolated IIA not associated with AAA repair. Complications were similar to those in group I. On the basis of this retrospective analysis, we propose a management strategy in which open surgery, endovascular repair, or both are used, depending on the circumstances of treatment.