Surgical Management of Axillary Artery Aneurysms with Endovascular Stenting versus Open Repair: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Axillary artery aneurysms necessitate repair due to potential neurovascular complications. With increasing endovascular interventions for these uncommon lesions, there is a need to evaluate their usage against conventional open repair.

CASE: We discuss the management of 2 patients with symptomatic axillary artery aneurysms who presented to our institution. The first case is a 52-year-old lady with an enlarging left pulsatile mass, later found to be an axillary artery aneurysm, who underwent an open aneurysmal resection and interposition grafting. Meanwhile, endovascular stenting was performed for the second patient, a 65-year-old gentleman with a left axillary aneurysm.

DISCUSSION: While open repair remains the standard treatment of care for aneurysmal axillary arteries, endovascular interventions have gained popularity as a perceived less-invasive approach with possibly reduced morbidity risks.

CONCLUSIONS: Meticulous preoperative evaluation is required for patients with axillary artery aneurysms. Both methods of repair are viable options, and the most optimal surgical approach is dependent on a myriad of surgical and patient factors.