Type III endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case series

Background: Owing to the increased number of endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), the number of patients requiring reinterventions for type III endoleaks is also growing. Objective: To analyze our experience in treatment of type IIIa and IIIb endoleaks after EVAR. Methods: Of 457 patients treated by EVAR between 2010 and 2019, type IIIa and IIIb endoleaks were detected in 5 (1.1%) patients: 4 men and 1 woman. Their mean age was 67.2 years. Results: Type IIIa and IIIb endoleaks were found in an average of 77.4 months after EVAR. The incidence of type III endoleaks was 1.1%. Type IIIb and IIIa endoleaks were observed in 1 and 4 cases, respectively. In one case, type IIIa endoleak resulted in a ruptured AAA. The main treatment methods were relining (n = 1), stent graft implantation (n = 4), implantation of a bifurcated stent graft into a stent graft. No intraoperative complications or perioperative mortality were reported. 100% of the interventions were successful. In the long-term follow-up period, 2 patients had reinterventions. One patient required an intervention for type IIIa endoleak on the contralateral side, and the other patient was diagnosed with type Ia endoleak after type IIIb endoleak treatment. In the long-term follow-up period, no ruptured aneurysms or deaths were reported. Conclusion: Type III endoleaks are associated with a risk of AAA rupture and require treatment. Endovascular treatment of endoleaks demonstrated good immediate results; however, due to the high risk of endoleaks requiring reintervention, further long-term follow-up is needed.