title: A systematic review of open versus endovascular repair of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) have traditionally been treated by open surgical repair (OSR). Over the last decade, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been increasingly employed. The optimal treatment option for IAAA remains unclear. This article aims to evaluate and compare outcomes of OSR and EVAR in IAAA repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  All publications in the English language relating to IAAA were sought electronically using OVID and MEDLINE (1972-2008). Studies identifying 30-day mortality were considered. Periaortic inflammation (PAI), hydronephrosis and 1-year mortality were obtained from studies with at least 1-year computed tomography (CT) follow-up. Outcomes of OSR and EVAR were compared and analysed for statistical significance using Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were obtained from 35 studies comprising 999 patients and 21 studies with 121 patients who underwent OSR and EVAR, respectively. One-year CT follow-up was available for 124 and 52 patients from the two groups, respectively. Thirty-day mortality after OSR was 6% (95% confidence interval (CI); 6-13) and 2% (95% CI; 0-7) after EVAR (p=0.1). At 1 year, PAI regressed in 73% (95% CI; 64-80) in the OSR group compared to 65% (95% CI; 49-77) of the EVAR group (p=0.7). Conversely, inflammation progressed in 1% and 4%, respectively (p=0.1). Forty-five patients undergoing OSR and 29 EVAR were found to have preoperative hydronephrosis. This regressed postoperatively in 69% (95% CI; 53.3-81.8) and 38% (95% CI; 20.6-57.7), respectively (p=0.01). Hydronephrosis progressed in 9% of patients after OSR and in 21% after EVAR (p=0.1). New-onset hydronephrosis developed in 6% undergoing OSR compared to 2% with EVAR (p=0.2). One-year all-cause mortality after OSR was 14% (95% CI; 6-18) compared to 2% (95% CI; 0-13) after EVAR (p=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Either OSR or EVAR may be considered based on patient suitability. EVAR is associated with lower 1-year mortality compared to OSR. However, OSR may be preferred in those patients who have hydronephrosis and are deemed low risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. sharathparavastu@googlemail.com
authors.forename: S C V
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Paravastu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Farquharson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Serracino-Inglott
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000150:complications; D018579:Patient Selection; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality