9 Surgical Bites - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

This episode of Surgical Bites focuses on the assessment and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Using the case of a 68-year-old man with a 5.4 cm infrarenal AAA, the discussion explains that aneurysms are typically monitored until they reach 5.5 cm, as the risks of surgery below this threshold outweigh the risk of rupture. The importance of smoking cessation, cardiovascular optimisation, and patient education is emphasised, particularly for reducing aneurysm growth and improving surgical outcomes.

• The episode also reviews the UK AAA screening programme, the differences between infrarenal and suprarenal aneurysms, and the two main treatment options: open surgical repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Finally, it covers common post-operative complications, including acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction, limb ischaemia, blood pressure instability, and endoleaks, highlighting the importance of systematic assessment and early senior involvement when patients deteriorate.