Cardiology Center
Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Open Repair


Your Procedure

This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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Now it's time to talk about the actual procedure your doctor has recommended for you.

On the day of your operation,
... you will be asked to put on a surgical gown.
You may receive a sedative by mouth ...
... and an intravenous line may be put in.
You will then be transferred to the operating table.
In the operating room, a nurse will begin preparation by clipping or shaving the chest and belly.
The anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia by injection and inhalation mask.
The surgeon will then apply an antiseptic solution to the skin ...
... and place a sterile drape around the operative site.
After you are unconscious,
... your doctor will make a vertical incision down the center of your abdomen.
Skin and other tissue will be pulled back in order to expose the abdominal muscles.
Your doctor will carefully divide the muscle in order to expose the abdominal cavity. A special instrument called a retractor will be used to hold the chest open.
Once your doctor has a clear view of the abdomen he or she will gently pull the intestines up and out of the way ...
... revealing the aorta and the aneurysm. Now your doctor can begin to remove the clot.
First, he or she will apply clamps to each of the two arteries that branch away from the main artery - temporarily preventing blood from flowing to your legs.
Next, your doctor will clamp the artery above the aneurysm.
Once the blood supply has been shut off in this manner, your doctor will make a vertical incision in the artery wall ...
... and two small horizontal incisions to allow access to the damaged area.
The blood clot can then be removed. The surgical team will sew together any damaged blood vessels inside the aorta.
A tube made of a sterile synthetic material can now be inserted into the vessel to provide support and reinforcement.
It is then sewn into place.
One by one your doctor will remove the clamps, restoring blood flow to the legs.
After verifying there are no leaks around the surgical field, the team will finally close the vessel with sutures.
Your doctor will restore all internal organs to their proper positions.
The muscles and other tissue can then be closed with sutures.
Finally, the skin is closed with staples and a sterile dressing is applied.

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