ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSM, AN ABSOLUTE SURGICAL INDICATION

In a retrospective study, 155 patients operated for infrarenal abdomin al aortic aneurysm during a 5,5-year period (jan. 1986 --> oct. 1991) were reviewed. In our series, 111 patients underwent elective (EL) sur gery, 44 patients had an emergency (EM) operation. Male/female ratio w as 10/1. Mean age in the EL group and EM was 68,1 years and 71,82 year s respectively (p < 0,05). In the EL group, 68 (= 61%) patients were a symptomatic. All patients in the EM group had symptoms: shock + syncop e in 28 patients, acute back pain in 4 patients, acute abdominal pain in 12 patients. Aneurysm diameter greater-than-or-equal-to 8 cm was pr esent in 33% of the EL group, but in 57% of the EM group. Early mortal ity for the EL and EM group was 3,6% and 23% respectively (p < 0,001). Major postoperative complications were present in 13% in the EL group , in 55% in the EM group (p < 0,001). During a 5-year follow-up of 135 patients (= 96%), 22 patients died. Cardiac problems (7/22) and cance r (5/22) were most prominent. 5-year survival for the entire group was 83% ; EL (85%) and EM (76%) were not significant. None of the patient s subsequently underwent an operation related to the abdominal aortic intervention.