Impact of psoas muscle area measurement in complex open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Cross-sectional psoas muscle area (PMA), measured by computed tomography images, is a surrogate of the muscle mass. We aimed to evaluate the impact of PMA and length of stay (LOS) after complex open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (OAAAR).

A retrospective review between January 2013 and January 2017 was conducted. The main outcome was to assess the PMA as a predictor of LOS. Demographics and clinical variables were collected, and Spearman's rank coefficient was used to define the correlation of PMA and LOS.

A total of 72 patients were studied with a mean age of 72 (standard deviation ± 10.3) years, and 54 (75%) were males. The median post-operative LOS was 10 (7-14) days; lower PMA was correlated with longer LOS (R = -0.47, p ≤ 0.001). Thirty-six patients (50%) had a PMA < 17 cm², which was associated with greater post-operative 30-day complications (p = 0.004). There was no difference in 30-day mortality between patients with PMA < 17 cm² and those with PMA > 17 cm² (p = 0.147).

Lower PMA was associated with longer LOS and a higher rate of 30-day complications; however, no statistically significant difference was found in mortality.