Single-center experience with extracranial carotid aneurysm open repair

BACKGROUND: Our aim is to report our single center experience with extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA) open repair. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed including the perioperative and postoperative data of all patients who underwent ECAA repair between 2008 and 2015. The operative technique was based on aneurysm size, anatomical features and operative risk. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (6 men and 8 women, mean age 60.5 years) were admitted for ECAA. Thirteen patients (92.8%) were submitted to ECCA open repair while in one patient (7.2%) conservative treatment was realized. Bilateral lesions and concomitant internal carotid artery (ICA) kinking was observed in 2 cases (14.2%). Seven patients (50%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis and ECCA localization involved ICA in 9 cases (64.2-69.2%). Aneurysmectomy with end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 3 cases (23.07-23.1%), patch arterioplasty in 2 cases (15.38-15.4%), prosthetic graft interposition in 4 cases (30.76-30.7%), autologous vein graft bypass in 3 cases (23.07-23.1%) and artery ligation with distal ICA anastomosis in one case (7.6-7.6%). No perioperative deaths, major neurological complications and surgical reinterventions were recorded. Overall survival at a mean follow-up of 19.6 months (range 0-52 months) was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: ECAA open repair represents a safe surgical option, with lower prevalence of complications and no need for reintervention in high volume centers.