RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The open repair (OR) of infrarenal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has low mortality in tertiary care centres, however, endovascular repair (ER) could be more beneficial for some cases. The aim of our study was to compare the mortality and morbidity of the different AAA repair techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a single centre retrospective study we evaluated the postoperative complications, the early and late mortality of patients underwent open or endovascular AAA repair. RESULTS: Total of 431 patients underwent OR and 59 had ER. Early mortality was below 2% in both groups (statistically non-significant [NS] difference). Postoperative complications were found in 14.4% in the OR group and 11.9% in the ER group (NS). The intraoperative blood loss and use of blood products were higher, the operation time was significantly longer in the OR group (p < 0.001). The average follow-up time was 37 ± 22 months. Long term mortality and the prevalence of stroke and acute myocardial infarction were similar in both groups. 16% of the patients in the OR group developed incisional hernia. Patients after ER needed further vascular intervention more frequently than patients in the OR group (16.2% vs. 6.2%; p = 0.0327). CONCLUSION: The early and late mortality was similar after open and endovascular AAA repair. Postoperative complications did not show significant difference between the two groups. We found significant difference in the use of blood products, the prevalence of incisional hernias and the number of reinterventions. According to our results, stent graft implantation is mainly recommended in high risk patients and open aortic repair still has a role in the low-moderate operative risk group.