Overview
We recognise how uncertain your world can seem when you suddenly need medical treatment. That's why we try to make all our therapies, including our stent grafts for treating abdominal aortic aneurysm, as minimally invasive as possible.
The goal in treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm is to keep the aneurysm from bursting or rupturing. Depending on the size and condition of the aneurysm, this may be done by watchful waiting or by repairing the aneurysm.
Watchful Waiting
Not all abdominal aortic aneurysms need surgery. If the aneurysm is small, the doctor may decide to wait and watch carefully to see if there are any changes.
If the patient has high blood pressure, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce it. If the patient smokes, the doctor may suggest that they find help in quitting. The doctor may also ask to make changes in the diet or exercise habits.
If the doctor feels there is a risk that the aortic aneurysm will burst, he or she may recommend one of two aneurysm repair methods: either open surgical repair or endovascular stent grafting.
Open Surgical Repair
With open surgical repair, the surgeon makes a large cut, or incision, into the abdomen where the aneurysm exists. The area damaged by the aneurysm is then separated surgically from the main part of the aorta and replaced with a synthetic tube (known as an aortic graft), that is sewn into place.
Open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 3 to 4 hours. The patient may be asked to spend some time in the hospital after the procedure.
Endovascular Repair
An open surgical repair is endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a special device called an endovascular stent graft. The stent graft is placed inside the damaged area of the aorta to separate the aneurysm from the normal blood flow. It is designed to be placed without surgically opening the aorta.