Decreased mortality of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a peripheral county.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the effect on the mortality associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms, due to the establishment of a decentralised vascular surgical unit in the county of Viborg.


METHODS
Death after aneurysm repair and from rupture without repair were analysed retrospectively for the 3 year period before (1986-88), and after (1989-91), the unit was established.


RESULTS
Between 1986 and 1988, one patient (5%) died after 19 elective and three emergency non-ruptured aneurysm repairs. Only three ruptures were repaired with two deaths. In the country, 41 deaths due to ruptured aneurysm were recorded. Between 1989 and 1991 two patients (4%) died after 26 elective and 27 emergency non-ruptured aneurysm repairs. Nineteen ruptures were repaired with six deaths (32%). In the county, 28 deaths due to rupture were recorded during this period.


CONCLUSIONS
The establishment of a decentralised vascular surgical unit has increased the proportion of ruptured aneurysms reaching surgery with a resultant decrease in mortality from this condition.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D002423:Cause of Death; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013531:Surgicenters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data