Postoperative surveillance
Postoperative evaluation consisted of clinical and radiological
assessment at discharge, 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and annually
thereafter. Both computed tomographic examination and Doppler
ultrasonography were performed at 1 month. If there were no type 1 or 3
endoleaks at first evaluation, subsequent assessments of endoleak and
sac diameters were performed only by Doppler ultrasonography. Type 2
endoleaks were also assessed only by Doppler ultrasonography as they are
accepted as benign endoleaks in the absence of sac enlargement. If there
was suspicion of sac enlargement at ultrasonographic examination, this
finding was checked by tomography. Sac enlargement was defined as
minimum of 5 mm enlargement compared to the preoperative diameter.
Contrast angiography was performed at the hybrid room only when a
secondary intervention was needed.