Factors Your Doctor May Consider –Endovascular Stent Grafting

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an aneurysm in your thoracic aorta that needs repair, this is because your doctor may feel that the aneurysm is getting bigger and there is a risk of it rupturing.

Your Healthcare Team

Even though endovascular stent grafting is called a minimally invasive procedure, several highly skilled healthcare professionals will be involved in your surgery. Their job is to make you as comfortable as possible, make sure that your surgery is performed successfully, and help you recover quickly.

Who Does What?

Here is a brief description of some of the experts who may be involved in your endovascular stent grafting procedure.

Vascular Surgeon

The vascular surgeon typically performs the endovascular stent grafting procedure and leads the surgical team. Surgeons have medical degrees and several years of specialised surgical training.

In most cases, they have passed certification exams to demonstrate their competence. They are experts in endovascular stent grafting and can answer your questions about the procedure.

Anaesthetist

Anaesthetists are doctors with medical degrees who have specialised training in anaesthesia. Their focus is on pain management and making sure that you are safe. They will be involved in all stages of your surgery before and after the endovascular stent graft is placed in your aorta.

Radiologist

The radiologist is a doctor who works closely with the endovascular surgeon to provide images that enable the surgeon to guide the stent graft into place.

Theatre Nurse

Nurses are a critical part of the surgical team. It is their responsibility to manage your care and comfort at each stage of the procedure – from preparation to recovery. They also assist the surgeon during the operation.

Nutritionist

Since it may be difficult to eat after surgery, proper nutrition is essential before surgery and during recovery. Nutritionists are highly trained experts who instruct nurses responsible for your care on how best to meet your nutritional needs and speed your recovery.

Physiotherapist

The physiotherapist may work with you and your doctor to help you recover physically from the surgery. They advise you on what types of physical activity you should or should not do and how best to regain your strength and mobility after surgery.

Social Worker

Many hospitals provide social workers who are available to discuss any needs you may have after surgery to help you make the transition back to your daily routine.

Next: Surgery: What to Expect

Surgery: What to Expect –Endovascular Stent Grafting

Endovascular stent grafting is a surgical procedure done inside of your aorta using a thin tube called a catheter. Unlike open surgery, which involves a long cut in your abdomen, endovascular surgery requires only two small incisions in the area of your groin.

The surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, which, in many cases, is much shorter than open surgical aneurysm repair.

The following information describes what you can expect at each stage of the endovascular stent graft procedure.

Before the Procedure

Prior to the procedure, a number of diagnostic tests will be performed. These diagnostic tests allow the doctor to visualise the thoracic aortic aneurysm and the surrounding area, and help the surgeon decide what type of stent graft is most appropriate for you. During this time, your doctor will discuss the surgery with you, and answer any questions you may have.

During the Procedure

Before the procedure begins, the area of your groin where the catheter and stent are introduced will be cleaned and shaved. Then you will receive either local anaesthesia, to numb the area of the surgery, or general anaesthesia to put you to sleep during the surgery.