Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Society for Vascular Surgery for the Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Focused on 18 Key Clinical Questions

These clinical practice guidelines (CPG) were developed by the Korean Society for Vascular Surgery to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management and post-treatment surveillance of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The guidelines were developed by a multidisciplinary guideline working committee of 19 members, including vascular surgeons and methodological experts. A total of 18 key clinical questions focusing on AAA management and surveillance after treatment were selected. Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the available literature, literature searches were performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and KoreaMed up to February 3, 2022. Additional searches for two questions were conducted in September 2022 and December 2023. Recommendations were formulated through structured evidence review and consensus, following a Cochrane-based grading system with modifications in terminology and structure. Eighteen recommendations were made, covering surgical indications, comparison of open surgical repair and endovascular aneurysm repair, postoperative complication management, and surveillance strategies. Each recommendation was assigned a strength (strong or conditional) and direction (do or do not), along with an evidence level (high, moderate, low, or very low). These CPGs provide a structured, evidence-based framework to guide clinical decision-making in the management of AAAs.