Changing patterns of abdominal aortic aneurysm operation in a community hospital.

Careful analysis of results of abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in a community hospital over a 10-year period demonstrates results that are comparable to major centers. In addition, continued improvement in the care of patients with nonruptured aneurysms is well documented as experience is gained and techniques are standardized. The continued poor results in those patients with ruptured aneurysms once again emphasizes the need for definitive surgical care before rupture. The decreasing number of ruptured aneurysms and the relative increase in elective cases indicate that a greater percentage of these patients are being referred before rupture. This probably is due to the improvement in results which this study certainly substantiates.