Surgical Management of Popliteal Aneurysms

Ninety-eight popliteal aneurysms are reported that occurred in 82 patients who were treated surgically during a 16-year period from 1948 to 1963. The presence of acute or chronic arterial occlusive symptoms prior to operation significantly influenced the results of surgical management. Arterial reconstruction salvaged more than one half of the limbs presenting with limb-threatening ischemia, but early and late results recommend excision and grafting of all asymptomatic popliteal aneurysms before such complications develop. In our opinion saphenous vein autografts are preferable to prosthetic replacement in the surgical management of popliteal aneurysms.