Open surgery is done to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is called an open surgery because the abdomen is opened so the doctor can see and work on the aorta.
Your aorta is a large artery that carries blood from your heart through your belly to the rest of your body.
To do the surgery, the doctor makes a large cut (incision) in your belly or side. The doctor replaces the weak and bulging section of the aorta with a man-made tube (called a graft). General anesthesia is used for this surgery.
You may spend several days in the hospital. You will need to take it easy for at least 4 to 6 weeks at home.
When an aortic aneurysm is at risk of rupturing, or bursting open, the benefits of repairing the aneurysm can outweigh the risks. Repairing the aneurysm lowers the risk of rupture. And the repair can help a person live longer. Repairing a smaller aneurysm, which doesn't have as high a risk of rupture, does not help a person live longer.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Most people who have open repair surgery recover well. But this surgery has serious risks during surgery and soon after surgery.
About 5 out of 100 people die during surgery or within 30 days. This risk may depend on your health before surgery and where the aneurysm is located.
About 9 to 17 out of 100 people have complications during the surgery or within 30 days. These complications include problems with the heart, kidneys, or lungs.
Complications after the surgery include bleeding, infection, colon problems, and problems with the repaired aneurysm.
You will stay in the hospital for a few days to recover.
You can expect the cut (incision) to be sore for a few weeks. You will feel more tired than usual for several weeks after surgery. You may be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But you will probably need 2 to 3 months to fully recover.
You will have follow-up visits with your doctor to check on your recovery. Then, you will likely have annual checkups. You might have a test, such as a CT scan or ultrasound, every few years to check your repaired aorta.
Be sure to tell your dentist and doctors that you have the graft in your aorta. This is important because you may need to take antibiotics before certain procedures to prevent an infection.
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Aortic aneurysm repair is surgery to fix a weak and bulging section of the aorta. The aorta is the large blood vessel (artery) that carries blood from the heart through the belly to the rest of the body. The doctor used a man-made tube, called a graft, to replace the weak section of your aorta in your belly.
You can expect the cut (incision) to be sore for a few weeks. The doctor will take the stitches out of your incision about 5 to 10 days after surgery.
You will feel more tired than usual for several weeks after surgery. You may be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But you will probably need 2 to 3 months to fully recover.
For 6 weeks, it is important to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting. These activities will not hurt the graft in your aorta. But they may cause problems with the incision in your belly.
Some people find that they feel sad or more emotional than usual while they are recovering after this surgery. This may last for up to 6 weeks after surgery. Talk with your doctor if your sadness continues or if you have concerns about how you are feeling. Treatment and other support can help you feel better.
Be sure to tell your dentist and doctors that you have the graft. This is important because you may need to take antibiotics before certain procedures to prevent an infection.
You might have a test, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, every few years to check your repaired aorta.
General anesthesia is used for this surgery. To do the surgery, the doctor makes a large cut (incision) in your belly or side. Then the doctor puts clamps above and below the weak part of the aorta. This stops blood flow. It allows the doctor to replace the weak part of the aorta with a man-made tube called a graft.
After the graft is in place, the doctor removes the clamps so blood can flow again. Then the doctor uses stitches or staples to close the incision.
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