Medial approach to open repair of popliteal aneurysm

Right lower extremity popliteal artery aneurysm repair: With the medial approach, the popliteal artery aneurysm is left in-situ and bypassed using a segment of saphenous vein. The incision (dotted black line) is made along the medial leg (A). The popliteal artery aneurysm is ligated proximal and distal to the aneurysm to exclude it from the circulation (B). The vein graft can be tunnelled subcutaneously along the medial aspect of the knee or positioned adjacent the popliteal artery (inset) depending upon the extent of the bypass, patient anatomy, and operator preference (C).