An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a dangerous health condition that can lead to rupture, hemorrhage and possible death. Once this condition is detected, it must be surgically repaired with specific follow-up care procedures for the patient.
Aneurysm and Repair
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakened area of aortic wall (this is the largest artery in the human body). This weakened area causes a bulge in the wall of the aorta and this bulge is susceptible to bursting, which can cause a life-threatening situation.
The aorta is located in the chest and is connected to the left ventricle of the heart. Oxygen-rich blood is pumped through the aorta to the rest of the body, where it is used to support other functions of the body that require oxygen.
Because an aneurysm is potentially life-threatening, it has to be repaired once it is found. If it continues to grow, the aorta wall where the aneurysm is located grows progressively weaker, which increases the chance that it will burst. The patient has two options to consider in repair. He can undergo an open repair, where his abdominal wall will be opened up so the surgeon can directly view the aneurysm. The surgeon will repair the area weakened by the aneurysm by placing a graft made of synthetic material and suturing it to healthier areas of the aorta. This kind of open graft is the standard procedure used to repair the aneurysm. A second procedure, called the endovascular aneurysm repair, uses small incisions in the groin, exposing the femoral arteries. The surgeon uses X-rays to guide a stent graft to the area of aorta needing repair.
Open Repair Recovery
Once the patient has had her aneurysm repaired, she will be taken to recovery and intensive care for monitoring. She will be given pain medication to help her deal with post-surgical pain. Once she has recovered from anesthesia, she will be started on a liquid diet, then soft solids as soon as she is able to handle them. If the surgeon has placed a drainage tube in her stomach, she will not be able to eat or drink until that tube has been removed. This usually takes two to three days after surgery. As she makes progress after surgery, she will be moved to a post-surgical room and will be given the opportunity to get up and move around for longer periods. She will also be allowed to eat solid foods as she is able to tolerate them.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Recovery
After surgery, the patient will go to recovery. His surgeon may choose not to send him to intensive care. He will be given pain medication to help deal with the pain from his incisions. Once he has recovered, he will have his activity level slowly increased so he is able to walk around for longer time periods while he is still in the hospital.
He will be on a liquid diet, then a soft solid diet as his condition allows him to tolerate food. Once he is better able to tolerate solids he will be allowed to eat those.
Tags: will given, abdominal aortic, able tolerate, after surgery, Aneurysm Repair