title: Management of asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: The decision whether to operate on a patient with an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm is difficult. It depends on balancing the risk of its future rupture against the risk of the operation. A large aneurysm (greater than 7 cm in diameter) should certainly be replaced. A small aneurysm (less than 5 cm across) should simply be observed. The need for surgery on an aneurysm between 5 cm and 7 cm in diameter is doubtful.
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans