Elective surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Experience with 174 patients

Clinical experience with 174 patients (150 M, 24 F) with abdominal aortic aneurysm operated on during the 15-year-period 1966-80 is presented. The age range was 45-79 (average 62) years. The reconstruction was by means of a dacron Y-prosthesis after resection of the aneurysm, aortoiliac in 136 cases, aortofemoral in 31 cases, aortoaortal (tube prosthesis) in 5 cases. Wrapping was performed in two cases. Simultaneous arterial reconstruction of the lower extremities was done on 32 occasions, reconstruction of the renal arteries on 15 occasions, and mesenteric artery on one. The operative mortality was 8% and late mortality 22% (average follow-up of 4 years). Later arterial reconstruction of the lower extremity was necessary in 22 cases, carotid endarterectomy in 4 cases and lumbar sympathectomy in 5 cases. In the follow-up questionnaire (after 4 years on average) 56 patients reported claudication, 46 patients had angina, 36 high blood pressure and 28 symptoms referable to a cerebrovascular disorder.