[Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Change in diagnosis and therapy]

The improved diagnostic approach using computerised tomography and ultrasound investigation resulted recently in a remarkable increase of early diagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysm. Simultaneously in the last decennium the number of elective interventions has been increased 4-6 times. As a result of simplification and standardisation of the operative technique (dissection resp. inlay-technique) the operative mortality for elective surgery has decreased to 1-3%. Statistical datas proved a significant increase of life expectancy for operated patients. Interventions for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms are still loaded with a high risk (mortality rate 40-75%). Both elective and emergency vascular repairs should be done by well trained vascular surgeons and should not be a challenge for general surgeons to do sporadic vascular surgery.