During Your AAA Open Repair

During the Procedure

An abdominal aortic aneurysm repair requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your physician's practices.

Generally, an abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair follows this process:

1. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
2. You will be asked to remove your clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
3. You will be asked to empty your bladder prior to the procedure.
4. An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand. Additional catheters will be inserted in your neck and wrist to monitor the status of your heart and blood pressure, as well as for obtaining blood samples. Alternate sites for the additional catheters include the subclavian (under the collarbone) area and the groin.
5. You will be positioned on the operating table, lying on your back.
6. The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery. Once you are sedated, a breathing tube will be inserted through your throat into your lungs and you will be connected to a ventilator, which will breathe for you during the surgery.
7. A catheter will be inserted into your bladder to drain urine.
8. The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
9. Once all the tubes and monitors are in place, the physician will make an incision (cut) down the center of the abdomen from immediately below the breastbone to below the navel or across the abdomen from underneath the left arm across to the center of the abdomen and down to below the navel.
10. The physician will place a clamp on the aorta above and below the site of the aneurysm. This will temporarily interrupt the flow of blood.
11. The physician will cut open the aneurysm sac and suture into place a long tube called the graft. This will connect both ends of the aorta together.
12. The clamps will be removed and the physician will wrap the wall of the aneurysm around the graft, suturing the aorta back together.
13. The incisions will be sutured back together.
14. A sterile bandage/dressing will be applied.
15. After an open procedure, a tube may be inserted through your mouth or nose into your stomach to drain stomach fluids.
16. You will be transferred from the operating table to a bed, then taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) or the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).