Abdominal aortic aneurysms. II. Long-term follow-up of operated and unoperated patients.

Survival rate, causes of late death, employment, general health, walking capacity and sexual activity were investigated in 87 patients operated on for abdominal aortic aneurysms and 44 unoperated patients. The life expectancy was higher in the operated patients. The higher mortality for the non-operated patients was mainly due to aneurysmal rupture. Both groups of patients succumbed to atherosclerotic diseases, which before death had restricted their physical activity. More non-operated than operated patients left their employment due to the aneurysm disease. Eleven of 31 still living male operated patients had lost ability of erection postoperatively and 18 had abnormal or absent ejaculation. For the 12 still living non-operated patients indication for surgery was again considered and 3 of these patients will be recommended operation.