OPEN REPAIR OF COMPLEX ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS

Vallejo-Diaz N., Wolfe J.H.N.
St. Mary's Hospital,
London, UK

Complex aneurysms of the abdominal aorta (AAA) remain a great challenge for the vascular surgeon. Patients are usually elderly with associated cardiac, pulmonary and renal comorbidities. They are more frequent in Caucasian males over 50 years-old and the observed incidence in UK screening programmes is as high as 3,5 per 1000 person-years in this selected group. The highest incidence of new aneurysms was found in the 60 to 69-year-old age group. Initial diameter and age were independently associated with the risk of a new aneurysm. Height, weight, body surface area and blood pressure were not independently associated with the risk of a new aneurysm. It is 2 to 6 times more common in men than women. In the last years, there has been an increase in the incidence in the diagnosis of AAA, in part related to the increase of ultrasound and other image techniques in the abdomen, but there has also been an increase of the ruptured AAA.

The simplest solution is usually the best in the abdominal aortic aneurysms repair. First of all there must be a good indication, careful planning including the access. The minimal dissection and a good aortic tissue will be the key for a durable anastomosis and a low morbidity.

KEY WORDS: open repair, complex abdominal aortic aneurysms.

P. 87-94

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