Breakthrough procedure speeds patients’ recovery from surgery
A new approach to treating life-threatening conditions in the body’s main blood vessel is helping Essex patients return home sooner.
Marking a first for the East of England, vascular specialists at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) at Basildon Hospital, who treat problems with vessels through which blood circulates, have helped four patients return home the same day after surgery.
In a recent breakthrough, specialists at the CTC identified eligible patients and using a state-of-the-art procedure, made small punctures in the groin area and repaired and reinforced the affected artery using fabric covered stents, allowing patients to go home within hours.
The procedure helped two patients with swollen abdominal aorta, the body’s largest artery and two others having blockages in the same vessel.
The traditional treatment, called open aortic surgery, involves a cut in the abdomen and a stay in intensive care, leading to hospital stay of up to one week.
Dr Thapar, a Consultant Vascular Surgeon, said: “This is a procedure we have been developing for some time and now helps patients get back to normal life on the same day and frees up resources for the NHS. It is a great example of how the new Mid and South Essex Vascular Unit at the Essex CTC can improve outcomes for patients with life threatening aortic problems.”
The first patient, Gary Howe, 68, from Basildon, said: “I was surprised at how quickly and painlessly everything was done. I recovered very well afterwards with no issues at all and am now enjoying my life as normal.
“Everyone in the team was excellent, and they couldn’t have done more for me. The follow-up with Dr Thapar was also excellent. All in all, I am absolutely delighted.”
The team are working to make this pioneering approach available to more patients meeting the criteria.
They were led by Dr Ankur Thapar, Dr Vijay Gadhvi, Dr Imran Syed, Dr Reda El-Bayoumy and Dr Jonty Robinson, vascular, radiology and anaesthetic specialists, and supported by Dr Shiva Dindyal, Marie Lloyd and Norman Salcedo.