Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Description:
A dilation of part of the aorta, within the abdomen. The aneurysm usually does
not cause any symptoms, unless it ruptures, which is more likely if the aneurysm
is more than 2″ (5 cm) in diameter (double normal size). When aneurysms
rupture, fatality is very likely. Men over the age of 65 are at most risk of
having an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Surgery:
There are two common methods to repair an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
(1) Grafting
The surgical excision of the affected piece of aorta, and replacement with a
a graft. This is a major operation, which leaves significant scarring.
(2) Endovascular repair
This is a newer technique, which repairs the existing section of aorta, by
passing a tube up from inside one of the leg arteries, and into the area of the
aneurysm. The tube is then passed across the widened aneurysm, and fixed to the
good aorta wall with metal clips. This is a safer, less invasive, and less
traumatic method than above, and there is no scarring, because there is no
incision to be made.
It may be necessary to repeat the procedure, if
refinements to the original repair are necessary.