Decision to be made: I have to undergo... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

12,339 members5,114 posts

Decision to be made

HuiYuan profile image
4 Replies

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.

Written by
HuiYuan profile image
HuiYuan
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
4 Replies

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 profile image
HuiYuan in reply to

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

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 profile image
HuiYuan in reply to

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.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Newly diagnosed with a difficult decision to make

Hello, Newly diagnosed with a difficult decision to make. Lesion on left kidney stable for four...
Teekay2 profile image

Cancer/AKI to low GFR

Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum, wasn't sure where to post. In March this year I was...
Jwbak profile image

WOULD NEVER ASK SOMEONE TO DONATE A KIDNEY FOR ME!

Haven't been on in awhile. While doing the testing to get on transplant list, a suspicious mass...
SadMad profile image

PD Catheter

Tomorrow I visit my vascular surgeon to discuss access surgery for dialysis. My nephrologist is...
fleo profile image

Blood test to determine GFR

I am stage 4 CKD. I live in the UK. For quite a few years I have been attending nuclear medicine...
Julesrich profile image

Moderation team

See all
PattyM_NKF profile image
PattyM_NKFModerator
DorisL_NKF profile image
DorisL_NKFModerator

Top community tags

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.