Purpose. We evaluated the surgical results of mini-laparotomy abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in comparison with those of standard open repair and retroperitoneal approach repair.
Methods. Between February 2000 and January 2003, 30 patients with AAA underwent minimal incision laparotomy repair (MINI) through an abdominal incision 7-12 cm long. Their clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcome were then compared with those of patients who had undergone repair of AAA by a standard open technique (OPEN) or retroperitoneal approach technique (RETRO).
Results. There were significant differences between the MINI, OPEN, and RETRO groups in the time until the patient was able to resume eating (2.4 +/- 1.0 vs 4.4 +/- 2.4* vs 2.8 +/- 1.9 postoperative days [PODs], respectively; *P < 0.05), the time until ambulation outside the room (2.1 ± 0.7 vs 3.5 ± 1.3* vs 2.5 ± 1.9 PODs, respectively; *P < 0.05), and the operation times (188 +/- 43* vs 256 +/- 77 vs 238 +/- 59 min, respectively; *P < 0.05).
Conclusion. Minilaparotomy repair is a feasible technique, which combines the benefits of a small incision with those of conventional open repair. With the exception of patients with an iliac artery aneurysm extending to the external or internal iliac artery, MINI repair should be considered for the elective treatment of patients with aortic disease.