Endovascular Exclusion of Superior Mesenteric Artery Pseudoaneurysms: An Alternative to Open Laparotomy in High-Risk Patients

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysms are rare. However, patients are frequently symptomatic on presentation and require urgent repair. SMA aneurysms have the potential for severe complications, including thrombosis or rupture, resulting in acute mesenteric ischemia and death. In patients with adhesions secondary to prior abdominal surgery, traditional open exposure of the aneurysm neck via dissection at the base of the transverse colon mesentery may be technically difficult. Endovascular exclusion of visceral artery aneurysms using covered stent grafts presents a reasonable alternative to the morbidity associated with laparotomy. We report an interesting case of a patient with a large SMA aneurysm and multiple prior laparotomies treated percutaneously with a combined expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/nitinol self-expanding stent-graft allowing maintenance of end-organ perfusion and bowel viability.