Overnight intensive recovery: elective open aortic surgery without a routine ICU bed.

Objectives: Most patients are managed on the intensive care unit (ICU) after elective open aortic surgery. We preoperatively identify patients suitable for extubation in theatre with overnight management in theatre recovery before discharge back to the ward (overnight intensive recovery (OIR)). The safety of this was investigated.

A cost analysis of surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: This study compares our costs of salvaging patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with the costs for unruptured AAAs.

Methods: Details of all AAAs presenting over 18 months were obtained. Costs of repair were carefully calculated for each case and were based upon ITU and ward stay and the use of theatre, radiology and pathology services.