[Value of stent-assisted aneurysm treatment]

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms treated by open operation and endoluminal procedure. Between October 1996 and April 1998 consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms underwent surgical repair. Of these, 50 patients had conventional open repair, and 48 patients were treated endoluminally. Follow-up was made by clinical examination in the operation group; the stent group was controlled by spiral CT and angiography 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. No significant difference was found in the perioperative mortality rate between the open repair group and the stent group. This study suggests that the endovascular procedure is safe and results in a shorter length of hospital stay and a shorter length of intensive care unit stay. As there are no long-term results, the endoluminal method requires a careful follow-up.