Wrapping of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a viable alternative

Abdominal aortic aneurysm wrapping is an excellent procedure to use for poor-risk patients, calcified aneurysms, aneurysms extending above the renal arteries, and prophylaxis for small aneurysms. The procedure has a low operative mortality rate and a low long-term graft-related complication rate. It appears that aortic wrapping can be performed with a similar mortality and long-term survival rate as standard resection and grafting procedures, in spite of its application in generally poorer-risk patients. However, we do not believe that this procedure will replace aortic resection and grafting for most lumbar aortic aneurysms, but it should be considered for use in selected instances and should be in the armamentarium of all vascular surgeons.