Management of Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysms and Occlusive Disease with Preferential Suprarenal Clamping Via a Midline Transperitoneal Incision: Technique and Results

Abstract

Surgical management of juxtarenal aortic (JR-Ao) aneurysms and occlusive disease may include supraceliac aortic clamping, a retroperitoneal approach, or medial visceral rotation. The authors report their results using preferential direct suprarenal aortic clamping via a midline transperitoneal incision. Between July 1, 1992, and July 31, 2001, they treated 58 patients with JR-Ao disease (44 aneurysmal, 14 occlusive) via a midline incision without medial visceral rotation. Preferential suprarenal aortic clamping was used in 53 cases (42 proximal to both renal arteries, 11 proximal to the left renal artery only) and supraceliac or supramesenteric clamping in 5 cases when there was insufficient space for an aortic clamp between the superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries. This strategy avoided mesenteric ischemia associated with supraceliac clamping in the majority of cases and afforded better exposure of the right renal artery than obtainable with a left retroperitoneal approach or medial visceral rotation. Eleven patients underwent concomitant renal revascularization. Critical adjuncts included the following: (1) selective left renal vein (LRV) division if the vein stump pressure was <35 mm Hg (suggesting sufficient renal venous collaterals existed), (2) bilateral renal artery occlusion during aortic clamping to prevent thromboembolism, (3) flushing of aortic debris before restoring renal perfusion, and (4) routine administration of perioperative intravenous mannitol and renal-dose dopamine. Patients with type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysms, ruptured aneurysms, or JR-Ao disease approached via a retroperitoneal incision (severely obese patients, re-do aortic surgery) were excluded. No patients died or required dialysis during their hospital stay. The LRV was divided in 12 (21%) cases and reanastomosed in 2 cases (elevated stump pressures). The average suprarenal clamp time was 26 minutes (range, 10–60). Postoperative serum creatinine remained >0.5 ng/dL above baseline in 3 (5%) patients. These results support suprarenal aortic clamping with a midline transperitoneal incision as the optimal strategy for treating juxtarenal aortic aneurysms and occlusive disease. The authors believe that selective left renal vein division enhances juxtarenal aortic exposure, and routine administration of renal protective agents, along with occlusion of both renal arteries during suprarenal aortic clamping, are critical adjuncts in performing these operations.