Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: time-trends during a 20-year period.
BACKGROUND
The goal of the present study was to investigate the number of operations for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) including time-trends in treatment during a 20-year period. Operating time and anesthesia time were also studied.


METHODS
During the period 1983-2002, a total of 1,041 patients with AAA were treated with open surgery (905) or EVAR (136). Number of operations, type of graft, anesthesia time, and operating time were the variables investigated. Data were collected retrospectively from the patients' medical records.


RESULTS
There was an increase in the number of operations both for ruptured and non-ruptured AAA in men during the study period. Among women, an increase was observed only for ruptured aneurysm. Operating time and anesthesia time increased significantly during the 20-year period. The number of patients treated by EVAR increased significantly, beginning in 1995.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, there has been an increase in the number of AAA operations, and the proportion of patients treated with EVAR is increasing. Furthermore, we found an increase in both anesthesia time and operating time. These trends may be important for allocation of resources needed for the treatment of patients with AAA.
Berge
Camilla
C
Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Trondheim, Olav Kyrres gt. 17, 7006, Trondheim, Norway.
Haug
Erik S
ES
Romundstad
Pål R
PR
Lange
Conrad
C
Myhre
Hans O
HO
D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000639:trends; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors