Splachnic arteries supply blood to the internal organs of the entire body.

Splachnic arterial aneurysm is the dilatation of a splachnic artery due to weakness of its wall.

Most common arteries involved are the ones within the abdomen.

The main risk is rupture and bleeding.

Most patients do not have any symptoms. Others may have abdominal discomfort or pain. Severe abdominal or back pain or loss of consciousness suggest rupture

The etiology of the aneurysm is unknown and is not related to age.

The diagnosis is confirmed with Ultrasound, CT or MRI. If repair of the aneurysm is required, patients need to have CT angiography or MR angiography.

The decision to repair the aneurysm is based on size, symptoms and age of the patient

There are two methods of treatment, minimally invasive (endovascular) and open surgical repair.

During the minimally invasive procedure the repair of the aneurysm is performed from within the vessel (this is why it is called endovascular). Under local anesthesia, the vascular surgeon punctures the femoral artery of the leg and then places an endograft within the vessel, or uses a combination of stent and embolization. The patient is discharged in 1 day, there is no postoperative pain and recovery is very fast.


Renal Artery Aneurysm
Renal Artery Aneurysm
Endovascular Repair
Endovascular Repair

Open surgical repair requires general anesthesia and a large incision. The artery is replaced with a piece of patient’s vein or with a synthetic graft. After the operation, the patient may be transferred to ICU for 1 day and is discharged after one week. Full recovery requires 2 - 3 months.

The advantages of the minimally invasive procedure are obvious: no general anesthesia, no incision, no postoperative pain, early discharge and early recovery.


Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm
Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm
Endovascular Repair
Endovascular Repair

The endovascular repair is performed in most but not all patients.
For both methods there are indications and contradictions.

The results of the endovascular repair are excellent when:

a) It is performed by experienced vascular surgeons in patients suitable for this technique.

b) It is performed in state of the art hybrid operating rooms which combine the safety of the operating room with the superb imaging capabilities of the angiography suite.

c) Last generation endovascular devices are used.

Patients with peripheral arterial aneurysm should consult vascular surgeons with experience in both endovascular and open surgical repairs in order to receive the most appropriate method of treatment.