Surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm over 23 years.

The mortality for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a surgical unit is reviewed over the 23-year period 1956-1978. Five hundred and eight patients were considered for operation. In the elective AAA surgery group there has been a progressive decline in mortality to a current level of 3%, and reasons for this are reviewed. Where patients present with ruptured AAA, however, the mortality has remained in excess of 50%.