Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta
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Aneurysm (= morbid widening of an artery) of the abdominal aorta is generally located in the part below the branches to the kidney (1). On ct-scan you can see the aneurysm on crossection, with a diameter of approximately 6,5cm (2). After opening the abdominal cavity the aneurysm is seen immediately (3). The covering abdominal membrane is opened and the several branches are freed and surrounded with rubber bands so that later they can easily be retrieved.
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After vesselclamps have been placed so that there is no more blood flow in the aneurysm, the aneurysm is opened and old clots and calcifications are removed from the aneurysm. A wound retractor is placed in the aneurysm (5,6)
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Hereafter a prosthesis is sewn in the healthy upper part of the aorta and to the branches to the legs. Sometimes it is also possible to use a single tube if the widening does not expand beyond the branches to the legs (7,8,9).
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The situation after placement of the prosthesis. The old wall of the aneurysm will be sewn over the prosthesis.