This illustration shows how surgeons insert a sheath-like device to line the walls of the abdominal aorta. A doctor recently completed the procedure for the first time in Hays County at Seton Medical Center Hays.
STAFF REPORT
An Austin doctor says he has performed the first minimally invasive procedure in Hays County to install a device to prevent a ruptured aneurysm in the abdominal aorta at Seton Medical Center Hays.
Dr. Joe Wells, a vascular surgeon with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, installed a endoluminal graft device through a small incision in Wimberley resident Lewis Daws’ leg. Previously, the device would have required a standard open surgical procedure involving a larger incision, longer hospital stay and more painful recovery.
“This is a game changer. It allows us to repair these aneurysms in patients who normally would’ve been passed over for surgery due to age or sickness,” Wells said. “This less invasive procedure extends the longevity of our patients by eliminating the possibility of a rupture, causing death.”
Each year approximately 200,000 new cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are diagnosed. An AAA, a bulge in the aorta, can rupture with life-threatening results and is the leading cause of death from aneurysms.
The graft relines the abdominal aorta and isolates the aneurysm from blood circulation. Inserted through small incisions in the patient’s legs, the outcome of this new treatment option includes decreased procedural times and shorter hospital stays.
After experiencing severe lower back pain and visiting his primary care physician, Daws was sent to Dr. Wells, who identified a large aneurysm in danger of rupturing. He had surgery on a Wednesday and was home by Thursday.
“After one week he felt good and was back to walking a little every day,” said John Daws, the patient’s son. “He turns 89 next month and last night was out to dinner with friends. The way he’s bounced back from this is totally amazing to me.”
Seton Medical Center Hays is committed to recruiting talented physicians like Dr. Wells to perform advanced procedures that improve patient outcomes, hospital officials said in a written release announcing the procedure.
“I spoke with the patient’s primary care physician who was surprised to see the patient putting gas in his car just a few days following surgery. He was very happy to see him out of the hospital so quickly and returning to a routine activity level,” said Dr. Patrick Garcia, the hospital’s vice president for medical affairs. “These types of procedures are now available in this area without having to travel to Austin or San Antonio.”
