Extensive complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm salvaged by surgical graft providing landing zone for endovascular graft: A case report

BACKGROUND Surgical repair of complex abdominal aortic aneurysm is associated with a higher perioperative mortality and morbidity. The advent of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has reduced perioperative complications, although the utilization of such techniques is limited by lesion characteristics, such as involvement of the visceral or renal arteries (RA) and/or presence of a sealing zone. CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male presented with a Crawford type IV complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (CAAA) starting directly distal to the diaphragm extending to both common iliac arteries (CIAs). The CAAA consist of a proximal and distal aneurysmal sac separated by a 1 cm-healthy zone in the infrarenal level. Due to the poor performance of the patient and the expansive disease, we planned a stepwise-combined surgery and EVAR to minimize invasiveness. A branched graft was implanted after surgical debranching of the visceral and RA. Since the patient had renal and liver injury after surgery, the second stage EVAR was performed 10 mo later. The stent graft was implanted from the distal portion of surgical branched graft to both CIAs during EVAR. The patient has been uneventful for 5-years after discharge and is being followed in the outpatient clinic. CONCLUSION The current case demonstrates that the surgical graft can provide a landing zone for second stage EVAR to avoid aggressive surgery in patients with poor performance with a long hostile CAAA.