Total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR): the initial experience in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Introduction: There has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of AAA with the advent of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Rapid progress and evolution of endovascular technology has brought forth smaller profile devices and closure devices. Total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR) involves the usage of suture-mediated closure devices (SMCDs) at vascular access sites to avoid a traditional surgical cutdown. Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our experience of pEVAR between April 2013 and July 2014. Primary success of the procedure was defined as closure of a common femoral artery (CFA) arteriotomy without the need for any secondary surgical or endovascular procedure within 30 days. Results: In total there were 10 pEVAR cases performed in the study period, one case in Queen Elizabeth Hospital during visiting vascular service. Patients have a mean age of 73.4 year old (66-77 year old) The mean abdominal aortic size was 7.2 cm (5.6-10.0cm). Mean femoral artery diameter was 9.0 mm on the right and 8.9 mm on the left. Mean duration of surgery was 119 minutes (98- 153 minutes). 50% of patients were discharged at post-operative day one, 30%- day two and 20%- day three. Primary success was achieved in 9 patients (90%) or in 19 CFA closures (95%). No major complication was reported. Discussion: We believe that with proper selection of patients undergoing EVAR, pEVAR offers a better option of vascular access with shorter operative time, less post- operative pain, shorter hospital stay and minimises the potential complications of a conventional femoral cutdown.

Extra-anatomical veno-venous surgical bypass for central vein occlusion in patients with ipsilateral arterio-venous fistula (AVF) for haemodialysis - A single centre experience

Objective: Central vein occlusion is a common complication related to central vein catheter insertion for haemodialysis which can be unmasked by an ipsilateral fistula creation, leading to a dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula (AVF). We describe an extra-anatomical venous bypass surgical procedure performed to maintain vascular access and reduce the symptoms of swelling of the ipsilateral upper limb, neck and face. Materials and Methods: We report 20 consecutive patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) who had central vein occlusion and were not amenable to endovascular intervention. They underwent extra-anatomical vein to vein surgical bypass. The axillary and iliac or femoral veins were approached via infraclavicular and extraperitoneal groin incisions respectively. In all the patients, an externally supported 6 or 8 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft was used as a conduit and was tunnelled extra-anatomical. All patients had double antiplatelet (Aspirin and Clopidogrel) therapy post-operatively. Results: Substantial improvement in the facial, neck and upper limb swelling was noticed following this diversion surgery. The vein to vein bypass was patent at 12 months in 10 out of 20 patients. Graft infection occurred in two (10%) cases. Re-thrombectomy or assisted patency procedure (stent/plasty) was done in four (20%) cases. The patients with preoperative fistula flow rate of more than 1500 ml/min and post-operative graft flow rate of more than a 1000 ml/min were patent at 12 months (P=0.025 and p=0.034 respectively). Conclusion. Axillary to iliac/femoral vein bypass can salvage functioning ipsilateral fistula threatened by occluded upper central vein and relieve their upper limb obstructive venous symptoms.

Traumatic right proximal subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm treated with a hybrid procedure: A case report

Blunt trauma to the right proximal subclavian artery is uncommon and tends to be associated with pseudoaneurysm formation. We report a patient with right proximal subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm after blunt chest trauma following a motor vehicle accident. The condition was successfully treated with a combined insertion of a covered stent and carotid-carotid bypass as a hybrid procedure. Duplex scans at 6 month and 1 year follow-up documented good stent-graft positioning and no pseudoaneurysm recurrence.

A curious case of Meckel’s diverticulum

Meckel’s diverticulitis or Meckel’s associated pathology frequently presents in childhood with gastrointestinal bleeding. It is rarely seen in adults. It is a congenital abnormality that commonly goes undetected. We present a case of a perforated Meckel’s diverticulum due to fishbone ingestion in an elderly gentleman. The aim of this case report is to highlight the rare presentation of a perforation in a Meckel’s diverticulum due to an extrinsic pathology and to outline diagnostic and management options in cases of Meckel’s diverticulum.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm as A Cause of Ortner’s Syndrome – A Case Series

Hoarseness due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was first described in 1897 by Norbert Ortner. Various cardiopulmonary and thoracic arch aorta pathologies associated with left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy have been described over the last 100 years and is also known as cardio-vocal syndrome. We report our experience with seven cases of Ortners syndrome due to thoracic aortic aneurysm with compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and resultant hoarseness.

Bleeding Jejunal GIST: An uncommon cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are rare gastrointestinal tumours and are one of the causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of massive gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to bleeding jejunal GIST in a 43 years old gentleman. Endoscopic intervention failed to identify the source of bleeding and CT Angiography (CTA) showed a jejunal mass and patient underwent laparotomy and resection of the bleeding jejunal GIST. This article highlights the rare cause of the massive GI bleeding and also emphasise the role of CTA in obscure GI bleeding

Giant Lipomatous Lesion of the Thigh With Retroperitoneal Extension: Case Series

Giant lipomatous lesions of the thigh swelling with extension into retroperitoneum are rare. Lesions can be malignant or benign and can have similar clinical presentation. Treatments options differ and their prognosis varies with histology. We present two cases of liposarcoma and lipoma with the same clinical presentations that underwent surgical resection.

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) for infra-renal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm(AAA) under Local Anaesthesia - Initial Experience in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

This is our initial report on the first 4 cases of infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms undergoing Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) with local anaesthesia, controlled sedation and monitoring by an anaesthetist. All 4 patients were males with a mean age of 66.7 years. Only one (1) required ICU stay of 2 days for cardiac monitoring due to bradycardia and transient hypotension post procedure. No mortality or major post operative morbidity was recorded and the mean hospital stay post procedure was 3.5 days (range 2-5 days).