Surgical Treatment of Popliteal Venous Aneurysm Associated with Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Popliteal venous aneurysms (PVAs) often precipitate pulmonary embolism (PE). Anticoagulant therapy is insufficient to prevent PE, and surgical treatment is recommended in such cases. A 61-year-old man who underwent urologic surgery presented with sudden onset of dyspnea and hypotension on the third postoperative day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli and a right PVA (saccular type, 30 mm) accompanied by a thrombus. After we treated PE, we performed PVA surgery; the patient underwent tangential aneurysmectomy with lateral venorrhaphy using a posterior approach. No PVA recurrence or complications were observed at the 18-month postoperative follow-up. Surgical treatment effectively prevents PE recurrence and is considered the first-line treatment for PVAs.