Management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and concomitant biliary sepsis

Since 1984 three patients have been treated for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute biliary sepsis. The biliary tract disease included two cases of gangrene of the gallbladder, one with perforation. Two patients had cholangitis. All patients underwent repair of the ruptured aneurysm and cholecystectomy under the same anesthetic. Two individuals required common duct exploration: one at the time of the initial operation and the other 6 days later. Despite a high incidence of postoperative complications in these elderly men, all survived surgery and are alive and well after periods of 1 to 7 years. There have been no graft infections.