The use of a straight tube graft decreases blood loss and operation time in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

A retrospective study was carried out on 386 consecutive patients admitted during the period 1975 to 1981 with an abdominal aortic aneurysm; 110 patients (39%) were treated by means of a straight tube graft instead of the more commonly employed bifurcation prosthesis. Its use reduced the operation time by 26 to 31% (p less than 0.001) in both non-ruptured and ruptured aneurysms. Operative blood loss was significantly reduced in ruptured aneurysms only (29%, p less than 0.05). Secondary operations for iliac aneurysm repair were not required in any patient with a straight tube graft during the follow-up period (6 to 60 months). Our experience suggests that, in the absence of significant iliac artery disease, the use of a straight tube graft is the procedure of choice in the treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.