The Early Days of Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta, usually due to arteriosclerosis, have been long recognised as presenting a formidable challenge to the surgeon. At first symptomless, the aneurysm then presents as a pulsatile swelling. Once it reaches about 6cm in diameter, it is at risk of rupture, and this danger increases as the mass gets larger. Untreated, of course, rupture means death from massive haemorrhage.