Patients home for Christmas thanks to surgeons’ ‘first’

Reginald and Owen with some of the team who cared for them

Surgeons at Addenbrooke’s Hospital have performed a life-saving procedure for the first time in the country.

It means that patients Reginald Steward and Owen Lee should be able to get home in time for Christmas.

In two four-hour operations yesterday, a team including vascular surgeons and radiologists performed the keyhole operations to repair aneurysms in the pelvic area. The patients’ aneurysms, swollen areas in the arteries, could have proved fatal if they had ruptured.

Instead of using the conventional method of opening up the abdominal area in a major operation and repairing the blood vessels, the team used keyhole and radiological techniques to guide the graft which repaired the aneurysms into the body.

The team at Addenbrooke’s say this is the first time the technique has been used for this condition in the UK. “We’ve got lots of experience with similar operations, so now we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Jonathan Boyle, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, who was one of the team who carried out the procedures.

Owen Lee (left) and Reginald Steward (right)

“If we hadn’t got this technology, there would have been more blood loss, a higher risk of complications and a long stay in hospital,” added Mr Paul Hayes, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, also involved in the procedure. “This way it’s better for the patients and better for us, and means we should be able to get Reginald and Owen home in time for Christmas!”

Reg and Owen said: “We are very lucky and so grateful to the surgeons and the whole team for carrying out this unique surgery on us. We’re now looking forward to getting home in time for Christmas.”

 

 

Notes to editors
• The operations were only possible by the contribution of many members of staff in diverse roles, including surgeons, radiologists, theatre staff and an anaesthetist.

• Aneurysms may occur anywhere in the body, but they are most common on the largest artery in the body, the aorta, and on the small circle of arteries underneath the base of the brain called the Circle of Willis.

• Aneurysms may affect people of any age and both sexes, although they are more common in men, people with high blood pressure and those over 65.

• Aneurysms are fatal if they burst.