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Ohio State Tests New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Aortic Aneurysm Repair
COLUMBUS, Ohio — October 27 — Vascular surgeons at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are the first in Ohio and surrounding states to use a new minimally invasive treatment to repair aortic aneurysms involving the visceral vessels in patients. The surgeons used an investigational endovascular device to repair a patient’s thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The involvement of multiple blood vessels supplying the kidneys and visceral organs makes this type of repair one of the most challenging in aortic surgery.
“This innovative device could be a game-changer in aortic surgery. The advanced engineering and technology will greatly expand the minimally invasive treatment options available for our patients with complex aneurysms and allow some to avoid major surgery,” said Dr.Timur Sarac, who performed the surgery and is director of the Division of Vascular Diseases and Surgery and co-director of the Aortic Center at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta (a large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to organs) caused by weakening in the artery wall. Ohio State surgeons placed a new type of stent graft (tube), the GORE EXCLUDER Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE), into the patient’s aorta through a minimally invasive technique. This blocks the injured part of the artery wall from blood pressure that could lead to rupture while keeping the blood flowing to organs.
The device’s manufacturer, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., is conducting clinical trials with the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and other hospitals as it seeks approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for TAMBE to become the first commercially available ready-made device.
“Currently, we rely on custom-made devices, which can significantly delay surgery for patients suffering from this life-threatening condition,” Sarac said.
Ohio State surgeons performed the first surgery with the device on a patient Oct. 15. The patient had only three small incisions and was hospitalized six days, in comparison with traditional open surgery, which requires a large incision and 10 to 14 days in the hospital.
“Recovery went well for our first patient, and we anticipate hospitalization time will be even shorter for others,” said Dr. Jovan Bozinovski, who participated in the surgery and is co-director of the Aortic Center at Ohio State. “The great collaborative effort we have here among the surgeons, nurses, allied staff and industry make technically challenging and remarkable treatments such as this possible for people in our region.”
Vascular surgeons Dr. Mounir Haurani and Dr. Kristine Orion also are participating in the surgeries and clinical trial, which is expected to continue at Ohio State for the next two years.
Media Contact: Amy Colgan
Wexner Medical Center Media Relations
614-293-3737
