Surgical treatment of axillary artery aneurysms through a transaxillary approach

BACKGROUND: Axillary artery aneurysms are rare. Due to their anatomical peculiarities, their therapeutic management is individualized. Minimal invasive endovascular treatments are gaining increased popularity. However, surgical solutions are associated with better long-term patency. CASE REPORT: We describe two cases of isolated axillary artery aneurysm, managed with surgical resection and graft interposition. The patients had not experienced any ischemic symptoms, pain or disabling swelling of the upper extremity. One patient underwent in situ reconstruction with a venous graft and the other with a prosthetic graft. The early postoperative recovery was uneventfull. After a follow-up time of 12 months, both reconstructions remain patent and with not upper limb symptoms. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of axillary artery aneurysms is associated with good results, but larger cohorts are necessary to confirm our experience.