Inside the Operating Room: AAA Surgery

The condition is called abdominal aortic aneurysm -- Doctors refer to it as a "Triple A."

KYW's Michelle Durham reports the aorta is the largest artery in the body, stretching from the heart to the belly, and now there are two ways to fix this dangerous condition.

Whenever possible, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital vascular surgeon Dr. Paul Dimuzio says they like chose the minimally invasive procedure to remove the aneurysm. A catheter is placed in incisions made near the groin, but this patient wasn't a candidate for that:

"Here's the end of the aneurysm down here. We have to dissect out the top, and once we get up here we'll see the renal arteries, the renal vein. That's where we'll open up the aneurysm and suture the graft in."

Dr. Dimuzio explains the difference in recovery time between the percutaneous procedure which takes about an hour and a half and the invasive procedure:

"About four and a half hours for a typical open repair."

Dr. Dimuzio wants to remind people that abdominal aortic aneurysms can be picked up in a routine physical exam. Many people walk around without knowing they have one because there are generally no symptoms.

KYW's John McDevitt reports that free health screenings will be offered to the public in northeast Philadelphia this week. You'll need to call ahead to pre-register.

Pro football legend and sportscaster Joe Theismann says he got involved with abdominal aortic aneurysm awareness because of his dad who was diagnosed with the condition several years ago. He is urging the public to register for the free screenings which will take place in the area at the K-Mart pharmacy at 8800 Frankfort Avenue this Friday.

"If you use an ounce for prevention, you could potentially save your life because this thing has been called the silent killer. There are no real symptoms. I work out a lot -- a lot of people work out, you watch your diet, but you just don't know what might happen unless there's early detection for it."

He says more than 1-million people are living with the condition undiagnosed. It's the third leading cause of sudden death in men over 60 years of age.

To register for the screenings call (866) 371-3592.

(photos by KYW's Michelle Durham)