[Abdominal aortic aneurysm: surgery, indications, technique, outcome]

The fate of a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm] (AAA) is influenced by the risk of rupture and embolism. When the indication for operation is considered, individual associated risk factors have to be taken into account. With regard to the literature, the following recommendations concerning indication for surgery can be given: emergency surgery for symptomatic or ruptured aneurysm; elective surgery: aneurysms 5 cm diameter or growing AAA 5 mm/year, patient with acceptable individual risk for operation; asymptomatic aneurysms less than 5 cm in diameter, without growth in patients aged over 75 years and/or considerable perioperative risk should not be operated on: sonography should be done 3-monthly as a continuing control. Finally the results in our institution are presented for elective surgery: 30-day mortality 3.5%, AAA with rupture, no shock: 20%, ruptured AAA with shock 47%, respectively.