[Our experience with left-sided retroperitoneal approach to resection of abdominal aortic aneurysm].

INTRODUCTION: At most vascular surgery departments, transperitoneal approach predominates in resections of the aortic aneurysms. For difficult reconstructions of the aorta in the visceral segment, a left flank retroperitoneal approach is used most frequently.

METHOD: The authors retrospectively evaluate the left retroperitoneal approach in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms during a 10-year period. From the total number of 445 operated patients, the left-sided retroperitoneal approach was used in 23 cases.

RESULT: All operated patients survived. Average hospital stay was 10 days in the case of elective operations.

CONCLUSION: Based on favorable results, the authors confirm that left-sided retroperitoneal approach is rightly considered as a choice in the technically demanding reconstruction of the aorta in the visceral segment.Key words: aortic aneurysm visceral segment of the aorta retroperitoneal approach.