title: Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Replacement in the Awake Patient.
abstract: Nonintubated aortic surgery using various techniques has been reported, but despite publication of favorable outcomes in select patient groups, awake aortic surgery remains unpopular. Our patient had an abdominal aortic aneurysm that was unsuitable for endovascular repair. Because of the significant respiratory disease, general anesthesia represented an unacceptably high risk. As a result, he underwent open AAA repair via a retroperitoneal approach with the aid of epidural anesthesia. Here, we highlight the benefits of the procedure which offer a select cohort of patients the chance of life-saving surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, England.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meecham
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, England.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torrance
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, England.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vijay
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, England.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burtenshaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, England.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Downing
keywords: abdominal aortic aneurysm; epidural anesthesia; regional anesthesia