Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm repair by EVAR

I had this operation 7/8 years ago and it worked fine for me until this spring when I had a leakage between the implant and artery. Source of leakage could not be discovered and the aneurysm burst . Am recovering now slowly from the resultant heavy operation.

Are you having it via a catheter done through your legs. I know now it’s minimally evasive. You should be fine. My dad had it done conventionally and he he was fine. It just a rough recovery because it’s abdominal surgery and they cut through the muscle as is standard for abdominal surgery. Don’t worry either was you will be fine and that’s what matters

Thanks for the info , sorry to hear of your complications I hope all turns out well with your recovery, Best wishes !

Thanks for the reassurance! Glad he’s doing well , best wishes to him going forward

I had 2x EVAR last year. Small 2 inch cut scar in groin area both sides.
Sent home after 4-5 days and recovery was a breeze, compared to full open AAA, that I needed later.

Complications: staph infection and poor blood flow down to feet.

(why I later needed full open AAA surgery)

Hospital blamed infection on smoking (nonsense) and kept silent about the true reason for infection, 'foreign object' Lab test twice confirmed Staph infection.

Post op, recovery from EVAR was not very painful compared with full AAA, and you likely get both morphine and tramadol. Morphine MST was best in my case. I am no alpha male, and have low pain treshold, EVAR only moderate pain for me, post op and at home.

Risk of complications yes, but tiny scar and fast recovery is a big advantage.
1 month and you're back to almost normal.

Full open AAA was 14 days hospitalized, 3-4 months in severe pain. Bedridden 14 days, learn to walk again, balance was gone. Post-op at home, severe pain for months, weightloss and zero appetite.
Scar healed faster on chest from AAA, than on thigh from EVAR.
After 1 year full open AAA surgery, scar on chest is 90% invisible. More complication and other type surgery followed, which I just written about it in a new topic.

Both EVAR and AAA has risk for infections.
My doctor said I could choose since my aneurysm was so near groin area.
In my case - looking back, EVAR was not the best for me. But maybe for you.

No infection after full open AAA surgery -- but -- a surprise blood clot later ...

See my attachment.
So far I can tick number 1 - 2 and 5.
Be prepared for this.

Only you can decide, but EVAR is a much smaller surgery compared to full open AAA.

Whatever you choose, this is life altering, so enjoy your days before surgery!

See attachment

Quote: not sure if I will do it due to the complication possibilities afterwards"

What's your alternative?
Live without any surgery until your aneurysm burst, and you vomit blood or internal bleeding.
Both result in death. Very few reach hospital In Time, remember that.
And to live in Fear, 'will my aneurysm burst today or not'?

I'm still alive and happy for every day I get, even with my new limitations.
😃

A ct scan last week discovered a celiac aneurysm which has a small tear. Should I be concerned? I’m afraid it could bleed or burst and when would it happen? The hospital sent me to a trauma hospital for emergency surgery but they said that it wasn’t bleeding so I could be discharged and to see my vascular surgeon asap.

That Hospital said that I will be back to their hospital but wanted my own cardiovascular surgeon to look at it. First thing my surgeon said was “all hospitals say ASAP and that I should wait until my March appointment!! In 2 months!

Meanwhile I’m a walking grenade fearing the fact that I’m walking around with something that could quickly kill me if it bleeds or bursts as the result is fatal. I’m seeing him today and I don’t trust him because he’s already told me that “all hospitals say that in your discharge papers “!

He’s already said I can wait until MARCH. Sounds like a lackadaisical attitude already. If he says I’m all set should I get a second opinion?

CT-Scan with contrast liquid?

It should shown any leakage from the tear. It didn't.

Yes, absolutely get a second opinion. Also because there is obvious trust issues as well.
If you still feel uneasy, insist on a scheduled surgery asap. From my own experience, most hospital only have 2-3 weeks with scheduled non-emergency surgeries. Should be able to give you a date for surgery within 1 month.
Don't wait.
.

The trauma hospital cardiovascular surgeon said that “you will be back to the hospital but it isn’t bleeding yet “ (based on the other hospital’s say so)
The first hospital found the aneurysm i’ve been getting a sonogram for the past 3 years showing no change as of my last visit a year ago with my own cardiovascular surgeon.

The 1st hospital found it through a cat scan with a contrast liquid 3 days ago and found that it has a “small” tear in it and immediately “we’re concerned “enough to ambulate me to the trauma hospital for emergency surgery to repair it.

My current surgeon I’m going to see today poo-pooed the trauma hospital’s writing on my discharge papers “as soon as possible “. saying “all hospitals say that!” “ we have an appointment in March, I’ll see you then.” 2 months? No way. I demanded that he see me sooner and it took my nurse giving him hell to see me asap.

He finally caved and made today’s appointment. What this attitude tells me is that his mind is already made up .

Can a sonogram be as good as a contrast CT? I don’t even want to see him now. I don’t feel comfortable and unless he says yes “you need surgery “ I will see another cardiovascular surgeon in my area. There are plenty of them. I don’t want to play Russian roulette. If my second opinion matches my current surgeon’s opinion then I may concede.. it’s at 40mm supposedly medium size at least.
We’ll see what happens today. As far as I’m concerned if the first hospital sent me to a different hospital for “emergency surgery “ I tend to believe them more than my current surgeon.

Doctors look at the patient as a faulty machine, not a human. They must put all feeling aside, else they would become suicidal.
For us, the patient, this give us reason to worry even more, when it's obvious that some doctors downplay our current serious concern, while other doctor want 'emergency surgery'.

I strongly trust my own gut feeling and intuition, and when a doctor don't actually listen - I find another hospital immediately.
I don't ask for a second appoinment with the same doctor, when I feel he ignore me, don't listen.

All aneurysm grow in size, but how fast vary from 0,5 cm to 2 cm, yearly.

If any surgery is paid by your insurance and not yourself, this Might be the problem. Maybe aneurysm Must Be 5 cm (classified as large and dangerous) in size before insurance company will pre authorize surgery??

If I was in your shoes, I would Not show any previous tests to a new hospital, (to avoid doctor label one as a hypochonder patient).

I would start fresh and not say 1 word about what you done already the last months, doctor, test etc.

Mention any family history of aneurysm, discomfort, pain and changes to your body. Then ask if a CT-Scan with contrast, or any other test can be done asap.
In my case my pulse was visible on my stomach when lay down.

Talk with family and friends, get their opinion as well. Sometimes bringing a friend to consultation can be a big help, doctor seems to listen more.