Experts at Performing Minimally Invasive Endovascular Procedures in Raleigh, North Carolina
Many conditions can affect the complex movement of blood throughout the body, such as an aneurysm, which is a bulge or “ballooning” in the wall of a blood vessel. When an aneurysm or other similar condition occurs, surgery may be needed to repair it. In addition to conventional surgical procedures, endovascular surgery is an alternative option we offer at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic.
What Is Endovascular Surgery?
Endovascular surgery is an innovative, minimally invasive procedure used to treat vascular (blood vessel-related) disorders from within arteries and veins. In minimally invasive surgery the incision made is much smaller than that of open surgery. Endovascular surgery also uses balloons, stents, and other devices to effectively treat vascular conditions. Remote control-guided cameras and instruments may be used to guide the procedures.
What Are the Benefits of Endovascular Surgery?
In addition to using a smaller incision compared to open surgery, endovascular surgery often results in:
- Lower risk for complications
- Shorter recovery times for patients
- Less discomfort
- Use of local or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia
- Less stress on the heart
Endovascular surgery can often benefit patients who need surgery but who are at high risk of complications from other health conditions. Endovascular surgery isn’t right for all patients, and risks and benefits should be discussed between the neurosurgeon and patient before any treatment decisions are made.
What Can Endovascular Surgery Treat?
In addition to aneurysms, endovascular surgery can be used to treat a number of other vascular disorders. These include:
- Varicose veins
- Vascular brain tumors
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
- Carotid artery disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Other blood vessel blockages that may lead to heart attack or stroke
What Can I Expect from Endovascular Surgery?
In an endovascular surgery used to treat an aneurysm, the neurosurgeon makes a small incision near the crease between the hip and the thigh. From there, the surgeon inserts a small guidewire through the incision, and pushes it through the blood vessel to the aneurysm. This guidewire is used to guide a catheter (a long, flexible and narrow tube) directly over it. The catheter then carries a graft (a special tube device with self-expanding stents) through the blood vessels to the aorta (a large artery) above the aneurysm. Once in place, the neurosurgeon releases the graft from the catheter, and it then expands, which blocks the flow of blood to the aneurysm. Over time, this reduction of blood flow shrinks the aneurysm.
Make an Appointment
To have one of our neurosurgeons assess your issue and see if you might be a good candidate for an endovascular procedure:
Make an appointment today!