What is open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms?
Open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms is a major operation. A hospital stay of at least 7 to 10 days is needed. General anesthetic is administered and a large incision is made in the belly. Then the abdominal aorta above and below the aneurysm is dissected and clamped to stop the flow of blood. This enables the aneurysm to be cut open and a new artificial replacement vessel to be sewn in. After removal of the clamps the abdomen is closed and sewn up. What is Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)? A relatively new technique that is being tested is to use a ‘stented graft’ or “stent-graft” to help repair AAA (see diagram 3: Dacron® or Gore-tex® graft supported by a metal scaffold). In a selected group of patients (depending on the anatomy of the arteries), the AAA may be repaired through small cuts in the groin under general anesthetic. The aortic aneurysm will be fixed by passing a catheter with the graft through the inside of the groin arteries (endoluminal) under x-ray control. Diag
