Is Surgery Justifiable for Treatment of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms?

Abstract

Patients who underwent elective surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms between January 1990 and December 1996 were evaluated retrospectively. Forty-six patients (group 1) with aneurysms of less than 5 cm in diameter were compared with 121 patients (group 2) with larger aneurysms. There were no differences in age, sex, or associated pathology between the two groups. Hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease were the most frequently associated conditions. Hospital mortality was not significantly different; 4.3% for group 1 and 2.5% for group 2. At 7 years, the cumulative long-term survival rates for group 1 and group 2 were 97% and 90% respectively (p > 0.05). For any infrarenal aortic aneurysm, indication for surgery should be based on the rate of aneurysm expansion, development of increased aneurysm-related symptoms or complications, and patient anxiety.

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