Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Techniques
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair involves large incisions, leading to prolonged recovery in elderly patients.
• Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and limited incision techniques are increasingly preferred for AAA repair.
• Older AAA patient populations often experience significant surgical wound morbidity and extended hospitalizations.

Observation:

• A 5.5-cm infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was repaired using hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS).
• A 7-cm midline supraumbilical incision was utilized for hand insertion with a Pneumo Sleeve device.
• HALS provided tactile feedback and surgical control during the laparoscopic dissection and grafting procedure.

Findings:

• Grafting of the infrarenal AAA was successfully completed using a Dacron prosthesis.
• The patient demonstrated rapid recovery, with extubation at 3 hours post-operation.
• Discharge occurred on postoperative day 7, with oral intake resumed on day 1 and no complications reported.

Implications:

• Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for AAA repair promotes faster bowel function recovery and diet progression.
• HALS may lead to a shorter length of hospital stay and potentially reduce overall healthcare costs.
• This approach highlights the benefits of MIS for abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment, improving patient outcomes.