Open Versus Endovascular Repair of Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract

Objectives: Open surgical repair (OSR) of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) can have significant morbidity. The aim of the present investigation was to compare IAAA outcome after OSR and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and perform a meta-analysis of the literature. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with an intact IAAA operated on during a 21-year period were included. Results: Nine patients were managed with EVAR and 18 with OSR. In the EVAR group, the number of transfused red blood cell units ( P = .001), procedure duration ( P < .001), and postoperative hospitalization ( P = .004) were significantly reduced compared to OSR. A trend for decreased morbidity with EVAR (11% vs 33% for OSR, P = .36) was observed. On literature review and meta-analysis, morbidity after EVAR was 8.3%, significantly lower compared to OSR (27.4%, P = .047). Mortality for nonruptured IAAAs was 0% after EVAR and 3.6% after OSR ( P = 1.00). Conclusions: Endovascular aneurysm repair of IAAAs is associated with decreased procedure duration, transfusion needs, hospitalization, and morbidity compared to OSR.