Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive procedure to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). It is used more often now than traditional open surgery for aneurysm repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The board-certified and fellowship-trained vascular surgeons at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute have years of experience performing the EVAR procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make the repair, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute vascular surgeons make a small incision in your groin to reach an artery. There, they use X-ray images for guidance to thread tiny instruments through the femoral artery to the site of the aneurysm in the aorta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There, a stent graft \u2014 a long, cylinder-like tube made of a thin metal framework with a coating that helps hold it in place \u2014 is inserted and expanded to support the weakened aorta wall and relieve pressure on the aneurysm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may be eligible for EVAR if you have an aortic aneurysm that is causing symptoms or has expanded to more than 5 centimeters (about 2 inches). EVAR is not an option for about 20% of people with AAA due to physical characteristics of the aneurysm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who aren\u2019t candidates for EVAR may require traditional open abdominal surgery to repair the AAA. In this procedure, a large incision is made in the abdomen to access the abdominal aorta directly. A tube may be sewn to the aorta, spanning the site of the aneurysm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EVAR procedure usually takes one to two hours. Patients usually go home within 48 hours. Most patients can return to normal activities four weeks after the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The open operation usually takes one to three hours. Patients stay in the hospital for five to seven days. Full recovery can take up to a month or longer.<\/p>\n\n\n \n