Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Clinical and surgical considerations

Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is a life-threatening condition and a leading cause of death in various countries. In spite of increased awareness of most physicians for an early diagnosis of the rupture, the performance of surgery in an early stage and special care in the Intensive Care Unit, postoperative mortality is still high in most medical centers as well as in our Clinic. Two series of patients operated in our Clinic during the last 17 years are analysed. The applied surgical technics are presented and morbidity and mortality are analysed. A distinction between the general mortality was made based on all the inhospital deaths and the postoperative mortality rate including only the deaths after the operation during the postoperative period. Among the other conclusions it is also stressed that a real improvement in the mortality rate depends on elective surgery of all the disclosed AAA larger than 4 cm in diameter.