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Open Repair Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Surgery Overview
Open surgery is done to repair an abdominal Reference aortic aneurysm Opens New Window. It is called an open surgery because the abdomen is opened so the doctor can see and work on the aorta. Open surgery is the traditional method of repair.
To repair the aneurysm, a doctor uses a man-made tube (called a graft) to replace the weak and bulging section of the aorta in the belly. General anesthesia is used for this surgery.
The doctor makes a large cut (incision) in the belly or the side of the abdomen. The doctor puts clamps on the aorta above and below the aneurysm. This stops blood flow through the area that the doctor is working on. The doctor removes the aneurysm and attaches the graft to the aorta. For some aneurysms, the doctor leaves the aneurysm wall intact, and the graft is placed inside the aneurysm.
After the aorta is repaired, the doctor removes the clamps so that blood can flow through the aorta again. Then the doctor uses stitches or staples to close the incision in the belly.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: February 22, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery |
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