Surgical management of 100 consecutive abdominal aortic aneurysms

One hundred consecutive elective abdominal aortic aneurysmorrhaphies were performed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 1966 to 1973. The overall hospital mortality was 3 per cent. There were no operative deaths in patients with aneurysms smaller than 9 cm. In view of our favorable overall statistics, we recommend elective abdominal aortic aneurysmorrhaphy in all cases unless there is severe associated cardiac and pulmonary disease. Preoperative carotid endarterectomy is recommended for symptomatic cerebrovascular insufficiency or for asymptomatic carotid bruits and/or hemodynamically significant carotid stenosis. When necessary, associated gastrointestinal procedures can be accomplished without increased risk of infection.