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Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair - open - discharge

AAA - open - discharge; Repair - aortic aneurysm - open - discharge

Open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is surgery to fix a widened part in your aorta. This is called an aneurysm. The aorta is the large artery that carries blood to your belly (abdomen), pelvis, and legs.

When You're in the Hospital

You had open aortic aneurysm surgery to repair an aneurysm (a widened part) in your aorta, the large artery that carries blood to your belly (abdomen), pelvis, and legs.

You have a long incision (cut) either in the middle of your belly or on the left side of your belly. Your surgeon repaired your aorta through this incision. After spending 1 to 3 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), you spent more time recovering in a regular hospital room.

What to Expect at Home

Plan to have someone drive you home from the hospital. Do not drive yourself home.

You should be able to do most of your regular activities in 4 to 8 weeks. Before that:

Managing pain

Your provider will prescribe pain medicines for you to use at home. If you are taking pain pills 3 or 4 times a day, try taking them at the same times each day for 3 to 4 days. They may be more effective this way.

Get up and move around if you are having some pain in your belly. This may ease your pain.

Press a pillow over your incision when you cough or sneeze to ease discomfort and protect your incision.

Make sure your home is safe as you are recovering.

Wound Care

Change the dressing over your surgical wound once a day, or sooner if it becomes soiled. Your provider will tell you when you do not need to keep your wound covered. Keep the wound area clean. You may wash it with mild soap and water if your provider says you can.

You may remove the wound dressings and take showers if sutures, staples, or glue were used to close your skin, or if your provider says you can.

If tape strips (Steri-strips) were used to close your incision, cover the incision with plastic wrap before showering for the first week. Do not try to wash off the Steri-strips or glue.

Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your doctor tells you it is OK.

Lifestyle Changes

Surgery does not cure the underlying problem with your blood vessels. Other blood vessels could be affected in the future, so lifestyle changes and medical management are important:

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider if:

Also call your provider if there are changes in your surgical incision, such as:

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Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair - open
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References

DeAnda A, Worsham J, Mell M. The aorta. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 62.

Perler BA. Open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In: Cameron AM, Cameron JL, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:901-905.

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Review Date: 5/10/2022  

Reviewed By: Deepak Sudheendra, MD, MHCI, RPVI, FSIR, Founder and CEO, 360 Vascular Institute, with an expertise in Vascular Interventional Radiology & Surgical Critical Care, Columbus, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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06/01/2025

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