Long term survival after abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy

Our series of 100 consecutive patients operated on either electively or in emergency without clinical work, for abdominal aortic aneurysms, estblishes the post operative prognosis up to a ten year follow-up period. The operative mortality of 12% is mainly due to renal coronary complications. All survivors, except one, have been reviewed. 64% 5 year survival and 46% 8 year survival rates were found. These results emphasize the importance of early and systematic surgical management except when major contraindications, which we have outlined, are present. Echotomography appears to be the best method of following up small aneurysms (diameter less than 7 cms) in elderly patients.