OBJECTIVETo analyze the experience with diagnosis and surgical treatment of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs).

METHODSFrom June 2003 to December 2008, 8 patients (2 male and 6 female) with 9 VAAs underwent surgical treatment. Mean age was 49 years (ranged from 30 to 72 years). The site of aneurysmal disease was splenic artery in 4 cases, superior mesenteric artery in 2 cases, renal artery in 2 cases (3 aneurysms). In 1 patient of splenic artery aneurysm, portal vein hypertension coexisted. All the VAAs of preoperative diagnostic workup consisted of a ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and digital subtraction angiography. Six patients were operated on and two patients was treated with endovascular procedures. Only one small VAAs was treated with follow-up.

RESULTSNo deaths or major complications occurred in the perioperative period. All the patients remained symptom free during a follow-up of 26.5 months (ranged from 2 to 60 months). Follow-up consisted of clinical and ultrasound scan examinations or CT scan at 1 and 6 months, and yearly thereafter.

CONCLUSIONSAggressive approach to the treatment of VAAs is essential. Elective open surgical treatment and an endovascular procedure of visceral artery aneurysms are both safe and effective, and offers satisfactory early and long term results. There is some evidence that small (< 2 cm) and asymptomatic VAAs may be safely observed.