Laparoscopically assisted abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Since the advent of laparoscopy, the sweeping changes seen in general surgery have not been paralleled in vascular surgery. However, the application of laparoscopic techniques to intraabdominal vascular procedures has now progressed from the animal laboratory to the clinical arena. Initial experience with laparoscopically assisted aortic bypasses for occlusive disease has led to the development of procedures for aneurysmal disease. This article reviews the current clinical experience in the evolving technique of laparoscopically assisted abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.