| Now it's time to talk about the actual procedure your doctor has recommended for you.
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On the day of your operation, |
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... you will be asked to put on a surgical gown. |
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You may receive a sedative by mouth ... |
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... and an intravenous line may be put in. |
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You will then be transferred to the operating table. |
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In the operating room, a nurse will begin preparation by clipping or shaving the chest and belly. |
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The anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia by injection and inhalation mask. |
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The surgeon will then apply an antiseptic solution to the skin ... |
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... and place a sterile drape around the operative site. |
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After you are unconscious, |
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... your doctor will make a vertical incision down the center of your abdomen. |
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Skin and other tissue will be pulled back in order to expose the abdominal muscles. |
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Your doctor will carefully divide the muscle in order to expose the abdominal cavity. A special instrument called a retractor will be used to hold the chest open. |
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Once your doctor has a clear view of the abdomen he or she will gently pull the intestines up and out of the way ... |
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... revealing the aorta and the aneurysm. Now your doctor can begin to remove the clot. |
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First, he or she will apply clamps to each of the two arteries that branch away from the main artery - temporarily preventing blood from flowing to your legs. |
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Next, your doctor will clamp the artery above the aneurysm. |
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Once the blood supply has been shut off in this manner, your doctor will make a vertical incision in the artery wall ... |
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... and two small horizontal incisions to allow access to the damaged area. |
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The blood clot can then be removed. The surgical team will sew together any damaged blood vessels inside the aorta. |
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A tube made of a sterile synthetic material can now be inserted into the vessel to provide support and reinforcement. |
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It is then sewn into place. |
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One by one your doctor will remove the clamps, restoring blood flow to the legs. |
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After verifying there are no leaks around the surgical field, the team will finally close the vessel with sutures. |
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Your doctor will restore all internal organs to their proper positions. |
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The muscles and other tissue can then be closed with sutures. |
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Finally, the skin is closed with staples and a sterile dressing is applied. |
