The aorta is the main blood vessel in your body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Open RepairThe aorta is the main blood vessel in your body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weak spot in this blood vessel as it passes through your abdomen. This weak spot bulges or balloons outward.An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a serious medical condition. If your aneurysm ruptures, or breaks open, it can cause life-threatening bleeding inside your body.If your aneurysm is small or slow growing, your health care provider may suggest watching it closely without treatment at first. If the aneurysm reaches a certain size, however, the risk it will rupture increases. You may need to have it repaired.During open or surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, your doctor will make a large incision in your belly to reach your aorta. The aneurysm is taken out, and an artificial section of blood vessel--called a graft--is put in its place.Before the ProcedureBefore the procedure, you may have a physical exam, blood tests, and certain heart tests. You'll be asked to not eat or drink for at least 8 hours before your appointment.Tell your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you take, and if you have any allergies.Your healthcare provider will explain what happens during the procedure. He or she will also talk with you about any risks or complications that may happen. This is the time to ask any questions you have about the procedure.You'll be asked to sign a consent form that gives your healthcare provider permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear.What to ExpectYou are given general anesthesia to make you sleep through surgery.Your surgeon makes a long incision in your belly to reach the aneurysm.The surgeon places a clamp on the aorta above and below the site of the aneurysm. This temporarily stops the flow of blood.Your surgeon cuts open your aneurysm and sews a graft made of strong material into place. Your surgeon removes the clamps and sews the aorta back together. The surgeon will close the incision with staples or stitches.This surgery may take 3 to 6 hours.You can expect to stay in the hospital for a week, or longer, after your surgery.After the ProcedureFor the first few days after your surgery, you will be in the intensive care unit, or ICU. Tubes will give you nourishment, help you breathe, and drain fluids from your body. As you heal, your healthcare providers will gradually remove the tubes.During this time, nurses and specialists will help you care for your incision and start walking. You'll also get medication to control pain.Once you're home from the hospital, follow all instructions from your healthcare provider about the care of your incision, your medications, and your return to activity. Make sure to keep all your follow-up appointments.Don't be surprised if it takes you several months to feel fully recovered.Things to RememberLarge or fast-growing aneurysms are at risk of rupturing and need treatment.Your surgeon will repair the aneurysm by replacing it with a graft.It may take several months before you feel fully recovered from surgery.What We Have LearnedDuring open repair of an aneurysm, your surgeon cuts away the aneurysm and replaces it with a graft. True or False? The answer is true. A graft made of a strong material is sewn into the aorta to replace the damaged area of the blood vessel.Small or slow-growing aneurysms need surgical repair. True or False? The answer is false. Your health care provider may suggest watching and waiting before recommending surgery.
Date Last Reviewed: 01/01/2021
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