Decision to be made

[HuiYuan]

I have to undergo surgery to fix an aneurysm in my right Ileac artery. Due to the positioning, the consulting surgeon has said there are two options. Option 1 is to open me up across the lower abdomen and perform major surgery that way. Option 2 is to use "keyhole surgery" which more or less means inserting a stent with an overnight stop in hospital followed by 2 weeks of non-exertion etc. However, because of the position of the aneurysm, if keyhole surgery is used, I would have to sacrifice one of the arteries feeding my right kidney which I take to mean a probable 50% drop in the efficiency of that kidney. I have currently no diagnosed kidney problems. I have been told to think about it! I am male, 71 years old and had a triple bypass op in July 2020 which went very well and my recovery has been excellent. I am leaning towards the keyhole option but have no idea what the impact would be on my life with the loss of that artery so any pointers would be gratefully received.

[Hidden]

Those seem to be questions that you have to ask your physician(s) and discuss with your family and then make your decision. Those issues are more critical of your health situation than the possible loss of kidney function. That makes the decision one you'll have to make based on your surgeon's advice and even then you'll have to wait until recovery and find out what you have to work with. I can't speak to what your healthcare will be, but I'm sure that after your surgery the doctors will discuss with you what happened and provide their suggestions and insight as to your post-operative options. If at that time you have a need for support and suggestions on anything kidney related, please come back here to update us and we can offer some helpful suggestions.Wishing you the best for a successful surgery and recovery.

[HuiYuan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I shall certainly take what you have written on board.

[Hidden]

You might wish to consult with a nephrologist about if and how your kidney and kidney function might be impacted by the loss of that artery, since you seem unsure...you “take it to mean” that you might lose 50 % of that kidney function.

Be sure you gather as much information as you can to help you make an educated decision.

Best wishes

[HuiYuan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. To see a specialist here means first getting a GP referral and I am aware that there are already long delays which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 impact on services in that regard so in reality we are talking months by going down that route. Nonetheless, I will try what you suggest as my proposed "urgent operation" (as described by the consultants involved) has been similarly delayed.