ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A retroperitoneal approach for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair has demonstrated similar short-term postoperative outcomes compared with the transperitoneal approach. However, there is no long-term survival data utilizing exclusively open repair via retroperitoneal approach. METHODS: We have conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the long-term survival of 142 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm undergoing elective open surgical repair via a retroperitoneal approach. RESULTS: Our cohort of patients consisted of 82% males, 59% whites, and a mean age of 72.6±7.7 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 3.5% for open repair via retroperitoneal approach. Post-operative complications were low, with renal failure (9.9%), pulmonary complication (9.9%), and limb ischemia (6.3%) being the most prevalent. Five years after surgery, the cumulative survival rate was 70.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The elective management of infrarenal aortic aneurysms with open repair via a retroperitoneal approach offers a good prognosis demonstrated with up to 5 year follow up.
