Any experience with abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery?
UPDATE: the surgery went well amd she is recovering now
I talked in the past about my mother here.
She's been diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm and keeping an eye on it.
Now it's time for surgery because it's big and in danger of rupture.
She's already in the hospital and will operate today or tomorrow.
She is still frail and eating less since my brother's death. Weight is only 44k/97lbs. She is 74 years old.
I keep reading that the endovascular surgery is not that dangerous. Just a minor cut in the groin, but I'm really afraid due to her weakness. Doctor assured is OK and he is the best in town. Last year he did 25 of these and this year 15.
Guess I'm just venting and afraid. Lost a brother a year and half ago and now it's my mother.
Feels like I'm just living between tragedies.
As an anesthesiologist who has administered the anesthesia for these operations, I remember when the endovascular stent technique first started being done. It was so easy, and was basically like a very minor procedure, when compared to the open surgical technique, which requires much longer and demands a lot more anesthetic management of hemodynamic shifts.
It is always best to do these procedures before they become emergencies, and the endovascular stent technique is very straightforward. No surgery is ever without risk, but it sounds like you are in good hands with an experienced surgeon.
Thanks. They took her to surgery right now.
My father in law (78 years old) just had an emergency surgery for this about 6 weeks ago. The aneurysm was the size of a grapefruit and they flew him to another hospital about 30 miles away where there was a surgeon on call who could perform the surgery.
The surgery itself went well, but I don't think he is a good person for comparison: he's never taken good care of himself (this was his fifth emergency surgery, with the previous ones also cardiac and stint related), smoked cigarettes (and rips off the filters) for almost all of his life, and has kidney issues he hasn't been addressing, which has been complicating his recovery.
I think he was in the hospital for about a week, but they kept him there longer because they couldn't do it via endoscopy and because his limited kidney function was slowing down his recovery. Now he's on palliative care.
I think the good news is that something like 80-90% of abdominal aortic aneurysms aren't discovered until they rupture when it's already too late, so the fact that they've been and to schedule this surgery is great news.
Thanks! My mother is a smoker, but miraculously she doesn't have any side effects on her lungs for it. She never inhaled deeply the smoke, just put on her mouth and blow. Maybe this caused less harm, but still bad anyway.
She will go to surgery 7 am tomorrow.
Update 2: my mother was born again
She is still in the care unit and there was a lot of nurses and doctors taking samples and seeing her.
So she asked if something happened to her, because there is a lot of coming and going in her room.
They said that she was born again because her artery was already ruptured, but instead of the blood flowing freely, the end of the artery collapsed and the coagulated blood glued it. So it was closed. The blood was slowly going to her back.
That's why she wasn't already dead. The doctor didn't say anything to not make anybody nervous, rushed her to the hospital and waited for the piece/tube to be made (it cost 80,000 BRL for the insurance).
In the surgery the doctor noticed one leg really cold and found a clogged artery and fixed too.
She is alright now, just staying in observation for a couple more days.
A bunch of doctors surrounded her, gave a round of applause and told to forget buying lottery tickets because she exhausted all of the luck she has.
Update: the surgery went really well.
As others have said, it’s relatively straightforward as far as procedures go
When I was in the CV-ICU as a student, I seem to recall the main concern being acute renal failure afterwards. Depending on how close the aneurysm extends down towards the renal artery outlets, that is
I work at one of the major companies that makes aortic stent-grafts. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a bad disease to be diagnosed with - but endovascular treatment is a pretty simple operation that usually doesn't have too many complications.
If it makes you feel any better, I can tell you from first-hand experience that whatever stent-grafts were used in the procedure have an exhaustive amount of data to back up their safety and effectiveness, from extensive in vitro testing, to animal testing, to clinical trials and post-market data. At this point endovascular treatment is a very well established technology/procedure.
Keep in mind that it will be extremely important to be diligent with follow-up visits for the rest of your mom's life. AAA doesn't go away and can't be 'cured'. The aneurysm will continue to grow slowly over time, which is why it's imperative that she continues with regular follow-ups so the doctors can monitor it and determine if any re-intervention is needed.
Best wishes for you and your mother! Hope all goes well for you.
Thanks!
I heard it can be hereditary so I should keep an eye after a certain age.