Reduced access aortic exposure (RAAE) technique for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair

ObjectiveA reduced access aortic exposure (RAAE) technique for repair of infrarenal AAA repair has been evaluated and the short-term surgical outcomes are compared with conventional open repair (OPEN).MethodsAll consecutive patients having repair of infrarenal AAA over a period of 3 years were included in this study. A group of these patients had AAA repair using the RAAE technique with a small midline incision (<8 cm). Patient characteristics and peri-operative outcomes were compared with the other group treated with the traditional full-length midline incision (OPEN).ResultsSixty patients underwent AAA repair in this study (38 in the RAAE group and 22 in the OPEN group). The age, sex distribution and co-morbidities were similar across the two groups (median age 76 and 75 years respectively). The RAAE group had a significantly shorter Intensive care stay (2 vs. 4 days, p = 0.041) and a shorter total hospital stay (9 vs. 14 days, p = 0.004). Significant postoperative chest infection was recorded in 13% (5/38) in the RAAE group as compared to 41% (9/21) in the OPEN group (p = 0.025).ConclusionsThe RAAE technique for infra renal AAA repair is feasible and safe, and allows quicker postoperative recovery with comparable morbidity and mortality to the conventional technique.