OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perioperative results in patients submitted to elective conventional open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, comparing the results between women and men in relation to perioperative mortality and morbidity, as well as long term outcomes. PATIENTES AND METHODS: Between December 1983 and December 2003, 675 patients were submitted to infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We divided these patients into two groups: men (n = 575) and women (n = 100). Demographic and operative data, as well as perioperative outcomes were obtained from chart review. Discharged patients formed a retrospective cohort, in which the late causes of death and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was similar, but no statistical difference was observed between men and women (68.9 ± 9.1 versus. 67.4 ± 7.1 years; P = 0.089). The presence of hypertension was significantly higher in women (73 versus 62.4%; P = 0.042), and coronary artery disease and history of smoking were more prevalent in men (P <0.05). The overall mortality rate was 2.8%, without any significant difference between women and men (4 versus 2.6%, respectively; P = 0.43). Perioperative morbidity was similar in both groups (14% for women; 18.4% for men; P 0.05). The survival rates in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were similar in the groups, with a 5-year survival of 71% for women and 72% for men (P 0.05). Cardiovascular disease was the main late death cause in both groups, followed by renal complications in women and neoplasia in men. CONCLUSION: Perioperative mortality and morbidity rates did not significantly increase in women after conventional infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Furthermore, long term results were similar in both genders.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm; surgery; women
