What is the usual length of hospital stay, recovery time, and followup?
The stent graft AAA technique requires around 2 hours. Anesthesia is usually provided by epidural technique. Most patients are able to go home by the next day or two. Full resumption of activity is allowed after 7-10 days. Followup is carried out 1 week postop, then at 1, 6,12 months with CT scans. Yearly followup is then recommended. This type of continual surveillance is necessary, in order to be able to detect endoleaks or other problems, should they arise. Some patients cannot tolerate CT scans due to renal impairment, so other diagnostic studies are performed.
