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The article discusses studies on the importance of long-term follow-up data in evaluating the relative merits of endovascular or open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The United Kingdom Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) 1 trial confirmed earlier results that endovascular repair is more effective than open surgery in the short term. Both the EVAR trial and the Dutch Randomized Endovascular Aneurysm Repair study found that such benefit is lost in the long term. The EVAR 2 trial found that endovascular repair prevented aneurysm rupture.

Presents medical news briefs. Painkiller that has been linked to suicide which is being withdrawn from the UK; Chronic fatigue syndrome which has now been recognised as a real disorder by the Netherlands; News of an extra payment for thalidomide survivors; Recommendation in the US that men 65 to 75-years-old who smoke should undergo screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm; NICE guidelines on treatment of osteoporosis.