[Management of ruptured aortic aneurysms in routine service of a surgical department]

In the year 1989 859 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms were treated in the Hessen county (5.6 mill inhabitants) (private survey). 64% of the ruptured aneurysms were operated in 24 departments for general surgery and 36% were operated in the 7 departments for vascular surgery. Corresponding numbers for elective operations are 55% respectively 45%. The results after resection of the aneurysms in our 22 patients with ruptured aneurysms (1986-1989) reveal a letality of 50%. No patient arriving at our clinic alive was excluded from operation. Letality in electively operated patients (n = 131) during the same period was 2.3% (n = 3).