How is an aneurysm repaired
The basic idea of treating an aneurysm is to keep the high-pressure blood away from the weakened arterial wall so that it is no longer trying to burst it. What this requires is that an artificial artery should be attached in position so as to prevent the blood reaching the weakened arterial wall. This can be done in one of two ways, an open operation and an endovascular (keyhole) operation.
An open operation to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm involves making a cut in the belly in order to get to the aneurysm and sewing in an artificial artery (graft) into the normal artery just above where the aneurysm starts and into the normal artery just below where it finishes. In this way blood passes from normal artery into the artificial artery and back into normal artery and is no longer in contact with the weakened part of the artery (aneurysm). Because the artery is deep inside the belly, this involves making a large cut to get to it. The Surgeon then places clamps above and below the artery where he wishes to work, this temporarily closes off the artery and allows the weakened part of the artery to be opened up without bleeding. The Surgeon then sews in an artificial artery to attach it to the normal artery just above the aneurysm where the aneurysm begins and the bottom end to the normal artery just below the aneurysm. Once the artificial artery has been sewn in, the clamps are taken off, the blood supply is restored and everything is closed up.