Retrospective evaluation of the endovascular repair of the anastomotic pseudoaneurysm of the transplanted renal artery using the snorkel technique

Objective To evaluate the endovascular repair of the transplanted renal artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm using the snorkel technique. Methods From April 2012 to December 2017, we performed endovascular repair in six patients, who were diagnosed with transplanted renal artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm, using the snorkel technique. The “snorkel” stent and the “parallel” stent were placed in the transplanted kidney and the external iliac artery, respectively. Another covered stent was implanted at the proximal end of the external iliac artery to match the diameter of the iliac artery. Result and conclusion: Of the six patients, three patients recovered. Two patients experienced pseudoaneurysm rupture due to infection, and one patient developed stent thrombosis; all three patients underwent graft nephrectomy. The endovascular treatment of transplanted renal artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm with the snorkel technique is a feasible method but needs to comply with certain indications.