[Aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta in octogenarians. Apropos of a series of 30 consecutive cases].

UNLABELLED

The authors report a series of 30 operated consecutive infrarenal abdominal aneurysms on patients aged of 80 years old or more. The operation is necessary in emergency in 13 cases (43.3%): 10 patients with sudden severe abdominal pain and faintness and 3 with rupture. In 17 cases the indication of surgery is "elective" (56.7%): sole physical finding in 10 cases, one case of ureteral tract compression and 6 cases of recent pain. In 13 cases, the infrarenal aneurysm is associated with arterial occlusive disease. In 20% of the cases, the operation consists on aorto-aortic bypass graft; in the other cases, aorto iliac bypass is necessary; in 3 cases the distal implantation of the graft is on the groin, on the femoral artery. The hospital mortality is 20% of the cases (6 cases); after operation in emergency the mortality is higher (30.6%) than after elective surgery (11.7%). The mean of the late follow up is of 39 months (2 months to 9 years): the late mortality is 16.6% of the cases (5 cases). The actuarial percentage of survival at 4 years is 60%.

CONCLUSION

The elderly is not a contraindication for surgical treatment of the infrarenal aortic aneurysm. The late survival rate is good after the operation.