Objectives: To assess the early experience with the transfemorally placed modular endovascular MinTec graft (TPEG) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Design: One single centre prospective evaluation of the endograft procedure as well as early postoperative results.
Setting: An academic teaching hospital.
Patients: 30 consecutive patients treated during a period of 15 months.
Results: Peri- and postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated according to the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on Reporting Standards. The endograft procedure was successful in 28 patients (93.4%); two patients (6.6%) needed conversion into open conventional y-graft replacement; one patient died 36 days following intervention from multiple organ failure. Another patient died from pancreatitis unrelated to the implantation. Endoleaks were treated by "overstenting" or distal extension of the endografts, but conversions were unnecessary. Five severe adverse events were noted in four patients.
Conclusions: TPEG is a feasible but technically demanding procedure, requiring both surgical techniques and catheter skills. The potential for less operative morbidity and simpler aneurysm management compared to conventional open surgery may be present. Close follow-up of patients is necessary to understand the development and treatment of endoleaks.