Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms in over 65-year-old men with inguinal hernias.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in over 65-year-old men who have inguinal hernias and discuss if pre-operative selective screening of this population is appropriate.


METHODS
A prospective study on 70 consecutive male patients with an age range of 65-88 years (mean, 74 years) who were referred to a single vascular consultant's out-patient clinic with an inguinal hernia were screened for the presence of an AAA with an ultrasound scan before hernia repair over a period of 3 years.


RESULTS
Two patients were found to have an AAA measuring 3.8 cm and 6.0 cm giving an AAA prevalence of 3% (exact 95% confidence interval = 0-10%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not demonstrate an increased AAA prevalence in over 65-year-old male patients with inguinal hernias, scanned pre-operatively when compared to screening programmes. Selective screening of this cohort cannot be justified on this evidence.
Anderson
Oliver
O
Department of Vascular Surgery, Russell's Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK. Sandy.Shiralkar@dgoh.nhs.uk
Shiralkar
Sandy
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography