[Minimally invasive and direct approach for aorto-iliac reconstruction]

Using a prospective, randomized trial, the authors compared the minilaparotomy (ML) with the conventional transabdominal approach (CTA) to the aorta for infrarenal aortic reconstruction. After surgery, nasogastric drainage was significantly (p < 0.01) shorter; bowel movement and initiation of alimentation began earlier in the ML group. Both groups of patients showed a significant decrease in vital capacity and forced expiration volume postoperatively, but this depression was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the CTA group. The ML group also had significantly shorter stays in the intensive care unit and the mean duration of the postoperative hospital stay was also significantly less (p < 0.05).