Coming Soon!
Because of the growing number of surgeries performed at Liberty Hospital, a twelfth operating room is being added to the hospital this winter. This operating room will be specially equipped for endovascular surgery, a new and less invasive way to treat major problems that can develop in the blood vessels, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The advantages of endovascular surgery include:
- Less discomfort
- Local or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia
- Reduced need for blood products
- Less invasive and a smaller incision
- Fewer risks for patients with other diseases, such as heart disease, kidney or lung problems
- Shorter recovery time
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Liberty Hospital was one of the first hospitals in the Kansas City area to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms using a stent graft. This common condition can be life-threatening and results in 15,000 deaths each year. An aneurysm develops when the wall of a blood vessel becomes weak or damaged. Over time, the constant pressure of blood flowing through a weakened vessel can cause a section of it to slowly enlarge, creating a bulge, or aneurysm. While an aneurysm can develop in any blood vessel, most occur in large blood vessels, especially the section of aorta running through the abdomen. The weakness in the vessel is usually caused by an accumulation of cholesterol or fatty deposits. Smoking and high blood pressure also can damage blood vessels. Men over age 55 are at increased risk for aneurysms, and having a relative with an aneurysm also increases the risk.
To repair the aneurysm, the vascular surgeon advances a thin-walled woven polyester graft into the area of the aneurysm. Once in place, the graft seals off the aneurysm, and reduces pressure on the walls of the aorta. This procedure can only be used in elective aneurysm repairs. It is not available for emergencies. |
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