Aortic aneurysm repair treats a weakened, ballooned section of the aorta, the body's main artery, before it can burst. The bulge is either relined from inside with a stent graft (EVAR or TEVAR) or replaced with a fabric tube through open surgery.
Repair removes most of the risk of rupture, which is often fatal. It is preventive surgery with real risks of its own, so it is offered only when the aneurysm is large enough, growing quickly or causing symptoms.
What Aortic Aneurysm Repair involves
Planning relies on a CT angiogram that measures the aneurysm and the arteries around it. In endovascular repair (EVAR), the surgeon reaches the aorta through the femoral arteries in the groins, guides a folded stent graft into position under X-ray, and opens it so blood flows through the graft and the sac is sealed off. In open repair the abdomen or chest is opened, the aorta is clamped above and below, the diseased segment is opened and a synthetic graft is sewn in. Aneurysms involving the kidney arteries or the aortic arch may need custom fenestrated or branched grafts, which take weeks to manufacture.
Who is a good candidate for Aortic Aneurysm Repair?
Repair is advised when rupture risk exceeds the risk of the operation.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm of about 5.5 cm in men or 5.0 cm in women
- Aneurysm growing more than about 1 cm a year
- Aneurysm causing pain or tenderness, which needs urgent local care
- Thoracic aneurysm reaching the size threshold for its location
- People fit enough for the chosen technique
It is usually not the right choice if:
- Small aneurysms, which are safer watched with regular ultrasound
- People whose anatomy does not suit a stent graft and who are unfit for open surgery
- Anyone with a painful or leaking aneurysm, who must go to the nearest emergency department
- People with limited life expectancy from other illness
- Those who cannot commit to lifelong imaging after EVAR
Technique options
- EVAR: Stent graft for abdominal aneurysms with suitable anatomy; faster recovery, more follow-up.
- Open surgical repair: Durable; often preferred in younger, fitter patients or unsuitable anatomy.
- TEVAR: Stent graft for the descending thoracic aorta.
- Fenestrated or branched EVAR: Custom grafts when the aneurysm involves kidney or gut arteries.
- Surveillance: Regular ultrasound or CT for aneurysms below threshold, with blood pressure control and stopping smoking.
What happens during your treatment
EVAR takes 1.5 to 3 hours under general, spinal or local anaesthetic, with 2 to 4 nights in hospital. Open repair takes 3 to 5 hours under general anaesthetic, followed by 1 to 2 nights in intensive care and 7 to 10 days in hospital.
Preparing for your trip
Plan for 10 to 14 days (EVAR); 3 to 4 weeks (open) in Istanbul. Your surgeon reviews photographs and your medical history before you book, and you meet in person the day before surgery for examination, marking and consent with a professional interpreter.
- Stop smoking and nicotine at least four weeks before and after surgery; it is the single biggest avoidable cause of wound problems
- Tell the team about every medicine and supplement you take; blood thinners, some herbal products and hormone treatment may need to be paused on your doctor's advice
- Arrange for someone to travel with you or to be reachable, and keep the first days at home free of work and lifting
- Book a changeable return flight; your surgeon confirms when you are fit to fly
Recovery and results
After EVAR most people are walking the next day and back to normal activity in 2 to 4 weeks. After open repair expect 6 to 12 weeks before full strength returns, with no heavy lifting during that time. EVAR needs a CT or ultrasound at about 1 month, 12 months and then every year for life to check for leaks around the graft.
- Back to everyday activity: 2 to 4 weeks (EVAR); 6 to 12 weeks (open)
- When results show: Protection from rupture is immediate
- How long they last: Open grafts usually last for life; EVAR needs lifelong checks
Safety, risks and revision policy
This is major vascular surgery in people who often have heart, lung or kidney disease.
- Death around the time of surgery: roughly 1 to 2 in 100 for elective EVAR and 3 to 5 in 100 for open repair
- Heart attack, stroke or chest infection
- Kidney injury from contrast dye or clamping
- Endoleak after EVAR, needing a further procedure in a significant minority over the years
- Reduced blood flow to the legs or bowel
- Spinal cord injury with thoracic repairs, which is uncommon
- Graft infection, which is rare
- Sexual dysfunction after open abdominal repair
Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.
Cost of Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Türkiye
Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for Aortic Aneurysm Repair, because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:
- EVAR versus open surgery, and the cost of the stent graft itself
- Standard versus custom-made fenestrated grafts
- Length of intensive care and hospital stay
- Pre-operative heart and lung assessment
- Follow-up imaging
Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to fly with an aneurysm?
Commercial flying is generally considered safe with a stable, symptom-free aneurysm. Ask your own vascular surgeon, particularly if it is large.
When can I fly home afterwards?
Usually 1 to 2 weeks after EVAR and 3 to 4 weeks after open repair, once your surgeon agrees.
Who does my follow-up scans?
Arrange this before surgery. After EVAR you need yearly imaging for life, read by a vascular team near home.
Should I travel for this at all?
Only for a planned, symptom-free repair with your scans reviewed in advance. Pain with a known aneurysm is an emergency for your nearest hospital.