Resection of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the over-80 age group.

We reviewed the risk of resecting an abdominal aortic aneurysm in 38 patients aged 80 years or older. The operative mortality for an elective aneurysm was 5.2%, for symptomatic but nonruptured aneurysm 26.6%, and for ruptured aneurysm 66.7%. The preoperative risk factors were essentially the same for the elective and ruptured group. Several of the patients with ruptured aneurysm had been followed up with their aneurysm for several years by nonsurgeons. To better understand why these patients were not being referred for elective repair, 100 nonsurgeons were sent a questionnaire concerning abdominal aortic aneurysms in octogenarians. The results showed that 81% overestimated the elective operative mortality and as a result did not recommend elective resection.