This prospective study was designed to analyse the postoperative and long-term outcomes of total laparoscopic vs. open surgical repair of infra-renal abdominal aortic occlusive disease (AOD) and infra-renal aortic aneurysmal disease (AAA) in comparable groups of patients using a propensity analysis model.

From January 2006 to January 2010, 228 consecutive patients who received an aortic bypass for AAA (n=139) or for AOD (n=89) were studied. Open repair was performed in145 patients (AAA=109, AOD=36) and total laparoscopic repair in 83 patients (AAA=30, AOD=53). One-to-one propensity score matching between study groups was done according to a difference in the logit of propensity score of less than 0.04 between each patient pairs in the study groups. Logistic regression with the help of backward selection was used to adjust the effect of treatment method for propensity score as well as other variables in evaluating postoperative and long-term outcome. A p value < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aortic occlusive disease (TASC C & D)
• Aortic abdominal aneurysm with a diameter > 5 cm

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with an occlusive disease amenable to stenting (TASC A & B)
• Patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with an anatomy allowing the use of a stent graft (EVAR)
• Patients with a life expectancy < 3 years or ASA 4 with a high operative risk

All consecutive patients presenting with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or an occlusive aortic disease operated from January 2006 to January 2010.

Open repair was performed in145 patients (AAA=109, AOD=36) Total laparoscopic repair was performed in 83 patients (AAA=30, AOD=53).