Objective: To determine the epidemiology and the status of open and endovascular aortic surgery for aortic aneurysm in Hong Kong.
Methods: Three separate data sources were obtained: (1) the Hong Kong Hospital Authority discharge statistics for 1999 and 2000; (2) a survey on aortic aneurysms in public hospitals conducted by the working group of vascular surgery; and (3) the department of surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Center aortic aneurysm database. The disease pattern, distribution as well as audit of operative mortality was determined.
Results: Aortic aneurysm ranked tenth as the leading causes of death in Hong Kong, and the incidence is increasing. Almost 800 new cases were diagnosed each year, with 10% presenting as rupture, but the death rate for ruptured aneurysms was 80%. About half of all operations on aortic aneurysms was performed for rupture, and a significant number of newly diagnosed patients were not receiving surgery. In experienced centers, the operative mortality for elective and ruptured aneurysm have improved to 2% and 38% in recent years. A growing interest and number of endovascular repair operations were performed which has led to some concerns on patient selection and follow up.
Conclusions: Similar to a worldwide trend, aortic aneurysm in Hong Kong is diagnosed more frequently. With the relatively high mortality for ruptured aneurysms, effective diagnosis and elective surgery on patients with aortic aneurysms in experienced vascular centers remained the best treatment. Since a majority of aneurysms remained untreated, patient and physician education is of paramount importance.