POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AND RISK FACTORS IN ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM REPAIR: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of postoperative complications and identify preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors affecting patients undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) repair, with a focus on Open Surgical Repair (OSR) and Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR).

Methodology: This retrospective cohort study included 104 patients aged 50–89 years undergoing AAA repair. Preoperative demographic, clinical, aneurysm, and surgical data were collected. Complications within 30 days were considered short-term and those after 30 days long-term. Risk factors across perioperative phases were analyzed using logistic regression in SPSS (version 26). Ethical approval was obtained, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: OSR was conducted for larger (6.8 ± 1.2 cm) and ruptured aneurysms, while EVAR was favored for smaller (5.7 ± 1.1 cm) and unruptured patients (p < 0.001). OSR led to extended ICU hospitalizations (4.86 days) and prolonged hospital admissions (5.04 days), elevated hydration needs (p = 0.032), and augmented dopamine use (p = 0.003). OSR patients had a higher incidence of complications, including wound infections, hemorrhage, stroke, and renal failure (p < 0.05), with higher long-term risks of graft thrombosis, endoleaks, and aneurysm recurrence (p < 0.05). These data underscore that OSR has higher perioperative risk, while EVAR offers a less disruptive option with fewer consequences.

Conclusion: Postoperative complications in AAA repair are significantly influenced by age, comorbidities, and operative duration. Further studies are needed to validate findings and improve perioperative management.