[Late complications in the aorta and iliac artery following open aortic surgery]

Late complications following conventional repair of abdominal aortic surgery were measured in 304 patients. Further operations were necessary in 4.6 % of the patients after an average time of 8 years. Indications for further operation were: Suture line aneurysms (6), endoleak (2), kinking of the prosthesis (2), occlusion (2), infection (2). In one of these cases an aortoduodenal fistula was observed. There was no lethality in the redo operations. It can be shown that vascular follow up operations are necessary after conventional aortic surgery. In comparison to endovascular surgery, however, they are less frequent and can be performed with acceptable security for the patient.