[Abdominal aorta aneurysm in aged patients. Is an operation worthwhile?]. / Abdominale aorta-aneurisme in bejaarde pasiënte. Is die operasie die moeite werd?

Although abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an unpredictable and sometimes fatal condition, it can be cured, and studies have indicated that improved peri-operative care has led to a lowering of the operative risk in the elderly. In this study mortality after AAA repair was 3,8% in patients over 60 years compared with 3,2% in those under 60 years. Eighty-seven per cent of the over-60s regained their physical capacities after the operation, and 92% considered the operation to have been worth while. A plea is made that all patients with AAA be referred to a hospital for objective evaluation of the operative risks with a view to elective surgery, since the mortality from ruptured aneurysms is still in the region of 50%.