Customized Tapered Stent-Grafts in the Endovascular Management of Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysms: A Useful Adjunct to Conventional Endovascular Options

The endovascular exclusion of an isolated iliac artery aneurysm is recognized as a safe and favorable alternative to open surgical repair, with low associated morbidity and mortality. It has particular advantages in the treatment of internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) given the technical difficulties associated with open surgical repair deep within the pelvis. We describe the use of customized tapered stent-grafts in the exclusion of wide-necked IIAA in five male patients considered high-risk for conventional surgical repair, in whom the common and external iliac artery morphology precluded the use of standard endovascular devices. In each case, IIAA outflow was selectively embolized and the aneurysm neck excluded by placement of a customized tapered stent-graft across the internal iliac artery origin. This technique was extremely effective, with 100% technical success, no serious associated morbidity, and zero mortality. In all five patients sac size was stable or reduced on computed tomography follow-up of up to 3 years (mean, 24.4 months), with a primary patency rate of 100%. We therefore advocate the use of customized tapered stent-grafts as a further endovascular option in the management of IIAA unsuitable for conventional endovascular repair.