Hand-assisted laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass for occlusive disease. Early and mid-term results

Objectives To evaluate the early and mid-term results of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for aorto-iliac reconstruction. Design Prospective survey. Materials and methods Between February 2002 and January 2004, 46 patients received an aortobifemoral bypass for advanced occlusive disease by HALS. Result There was one conversion to open surgery. Mortality was 4.5%. The median return to solid oral diet took 36 h (24–182), the median hospital stay was 5 days (3–26). Primary patency rate at 1 year was 97.5%. The incidence of incisional hernia was 19.5%. Conclusions HALS aorto-iliac reconstruction should be considered as a minimal invasive technique with good early and mid-term results.