The early days of surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta, usually due to arteriosclerosis, have been long recognised as presenting a formidable challenge to the surgeon. At first symptomless, the aneurysm then presents as a pulsatile swelling. Once it reaches about 6 cm in diameter, it is at risk of rupture, and this danger increases as the mass gets larger. Untreated, of course, rupture means death from massive haemorrhage.