Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm treated by ligation of the aorta and an axillobifemoral bypass.

Although a few elderly patients do survive operation for a ruptured aortic aneurysm mortality in patients over 70 years of age is very high. An alternative operation to conventional Dacron replacement of the aorta has been devised. This involves occlusion of the infrarenal aorta and iliac arteries with large plastic clips and insertion of a Dacron axillobifemoral graft. Eight patients with a mean age of 71 years were so treated. Half of them left hospital alive. We consider the results justify further use of this operation in selected patients.