Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair using conventional approach with synthetic graft and endovascular approach with stent graft (EVAR).

Methods: Between August 2003 and November 2010, 150 patients (142 males, 8 females; mean age 67.4 years; range 36 to 86 years) who underwent conventional surgical therapy or EVAR due to AAA under elective conditions in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The ratio of early mortality, duration of surgery, loss of blood, requirement of transfusion, duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), the length of hospital stay were recorded.

Results: The mortality rate was found to be 9.3% in the patients undergoing conventional surgery, whereas the mortality rate was 1.9% in the patients undergoing EVAR (p<0.05). The mean amount of blood transfusion was 5.6±3.9 units in the patients undergoing conventional surgery, whereas it was 2.6±3.0 units in the patients undergoing EVAR. The mean duration of procedure, the mean duration of mechanical ventilation, the mean time in the ICU, the mean length of hospital stay were statistically significantly lower in the patients undergoing EVAR, compared to those undergoing conventional surgery.

Conclusion: EVAR may be an effective treatment of choice with low mortality and morbidity rates for the patients who are elderly and are at high-risk for surgery and those who are anatomically suitable through the advances in graft technology.

Keywords : Abdominal aortic aneurysm; endovascular repair; conventional surgical treatment