Common Conditions

Aortic Aneurysms: Patient Information Sheet

• Patient Information:
  • Overview
  • Pre-Operation
  • Operation
  • Post-Operation
  • Back at Home

Aortic Aneurysms Pre-operative

You may be required to come into hospital a few days before admission, for any special tests (such as X-rays, blood tests etc) that I or a member of my team have requested. These tests may include scans of the abdomen or x-rays of the arteries (angiogram) if these have not already been done. Special scans of your heart to check that it is working properly may also be needed. Because the operation is undertaken with a General Anaesthetic (i.e. you are asleep during the procedure) you will need to have starved (no fluids or solids) for at least 6 hours before the operation. All patients who undergo this procedure are transferred to the intensive care unit (ITU) post-operatively for 24 hours or so. If possible, you will be shown the ITU and introduced to a member of that unit.

On admission to the ward you will have your details checked and have some basic tests done, such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure and urine examination. You will be asked to hand in any medicines or drugs you may be taking, so that your drug treatment in hospital will be correct. Please tell the nurses of any allergies to drugs or dressings. You may be required to shave the operative site before surgery. It is best if this is done a few hours before the operation. In addition you will be asked to shower using an antiseptic soap in an effort to reduce the number of skin organisms. A saline intra-venous drip will be started overnight to make sure you are well hydrated

I, or a member of my team, will check that all the necessary preparations have been made. You will be asked to sign a consent form. The form signifies that you know and understand why the operation is required and what it involves. The anaesthetist who will be giving your anaesthetic will also interview and examine you. He/she will be especially interested in chest troubles, dental treatment and any previous anaesthetics you have had, plus any anaesthetic problems in the family.

The timing of your operation is usually arranged the day before. The nurses will tell you when to expect to go to the operating theatre. Do not be surprised, however, if there are changes to the exact timing. The order of the list is usually on the basis of medical priority. Just because you are not 'first' on the list does not mean that you are unimportant. At the current time, particularly within the NHS, there is a dire shortage of intensive care beds and the ITU bed allocated to you may be used for another more pressing problem. Cancellation of the operation at such short notice can result in extreme frustration for you and all members of staff and all will be done to make sure that such an eventuality does not happen.

You will be taken on a trolley to the operating suite by a ward nurse and a theatre porter. There will be several checks on your details on the way to the anaesthetic room.