Traumatic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair Part 1 of 2

[thecalabiyaumanifold]

I would love to be able to do something like this someday

[JonCarlsonMD]

Good staff. Took the resident/fellow through the case.

[smcgilli34]

I had this very operation over a year ago after a motorcycle accident. I shattered 6 ribs on my right side and then had to lay on those ribs for over 8 hours while they cracked open my left side to get at my aorta! Not fun. I am still sore today and my ribs never did heal properly. Still, shocking to see this video and think I had all this happen to me.

[medicvideo]

@smcgilli34 Glad you are still with us! This injury has a very high mortality rate and the surgery itself carries a high mortality and morbidity. New 'stent' endovascular techniques have been developed which show promise and are far less invasive. One of the major complications can be parapalegia since the blood flow to the spinal cord is usually clamped off while the repair takes place. If the repair takes too long the cord is damaged.

[medicvideo]

@smcgilli34 Regarding your rib soreness, consult a pain management specialist about having intercostal nerve blocks. These are very simple injections done just beneath the rib in question to deaden the nerve that runs along it. Relief is instantaneous and can last quite some time or even be permanent. I have often said 'thank god that's not me' as it is difficult to imagine going through something so serious. Good luck!!

[teresachristina]

I have to have this surgery in a couple of weeks time.... Wow.....

[medicvideo]

@teresachristina Get back to us and let us know how you did! Fortunately your aneurysm is not due to trauma (which is an IMMEDIATE surgical emergency) so things are not as rushed. Did they use a stent or a graft?

[crazynoob120]

Hey i have a question why does the insicion always has to be true the brestbone is there any other was geting to the heart?

[medicvideo]

@crazynoob120 Yes there is. In fact, this is an example. The incision is NOT through the breastbone. The aorta runs out of the top of the heart and curves towards the patient's left and down behind the heart. You cannot reach if from the front since the heart is in the way. This patient is lying on his right side, his head towards the right of the screen. The incision is across his side from front to back, between the ribs which are spread widely apart.