[Long term results of surgical treatment for aneurysms of the abdominal aorta]

A series of 100 consecutive patients operated on for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, whether cold or as emergency, but excluding those cases with circulatory collapse, has enabled us to define the post-operative prognosis after a follow-up of a maximum of ten years. The operative mortality of 12% was due essentially to coronary and renal complications. All of the survivors, except one, were available for review. Five years after the operation 64% were still alive, and the figure was 46% at eight years. These figures confirm the indication for systematic surgical treatment as soon as an aneurysm is discovered, unless any of the contra-indications which are discussed are present. The best method of following up small aneurysms (with a diameter of less than 6 cms) discovered in elderly subjects would be by echotomography.