Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) surgery

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is an abnormal enlargement and weakening of the main blood vessel in the abdomen which takes blood from your heart to your vital organs and legs. AAA can affect both male and female patients of any age. However, AAA are most common in men, patients with high blood pressure and those over the age of 65. AAA often grow undetected and can rupture with little warning. The risk of AAA rupture increases with the size of the AAA. A ruptured AAA is often a fatal event. It is now accepted that if an AAA reaches the threshold of 5.5cm in diameter, treatment should be sought to prevent the risks of AAA rupture.

Patients with AAA will conventionally be offered open surgical repair but the newer technique of endovascular repair is now available for the treatment of AAA. Mr. Chong offers the option of EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair) for patients with AAA. EVAR is a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of AAA and is preferable in older patients with co-existing illness who may have a high risk for a general anaesthetic. However not all patients are suitable for EVAR and each patient will need to undergo careful evaluation of aortic anatomy with CT scans and overall fitness with special investigations such as cardiac echography, lung function and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEx) before treatment options are discussed with the patient. AAA repair is complex major surgery and Mr. Chong presents all his NHS and private AAA cases for discussion at the vascular multidisciplinary team meeting at Frimley Park Hospital to obtain the best consensus opinion for the management of all AAA patients. All private patients requiring either open or EVAR AAA surgery will be admitted to the Parkside Suite for treatment at Frimley Park Hospital. Results of AAA surgery at Frimley Park Hospital are excellent compared to UK national outcomes as demonstrated in these national reports in 2010 and in 2012. Mr. Chong teaches on the courses for both open aortic aneurysm repair and endovascular aneurysm repair to trainee vascular surgeons at the London Postgraduate School of Surgery. National Vascular Database information between 2008-2013 (5 years) shows a safer than average 1.6% 30-day mortality for Mr. Chong's elective AAA cases compared to the UK national 2.2% 30-day mortality rate.

Mr. Chong performs all AAA surgery exclusively at his Parkside Suite base.

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The information contained in this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. The Surrey Vascular Clinic recommends consultation with your doctor or healthcare professional.