Understanding Your Procedure
Open abdominal surgery allows your surgeon to access organs and blood vessels in your abdomen through a large incision. One common indication is repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which is a bulging or weakened section of the aorta in the abdomen. In an open repair, your surgeon removes or bypasses the weakened part of the aorta and replaces it with a synthetic graft. In some cases a less-invasive endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) may be possible by routing a stent-graft via small incisions in the groin. Your care team will evaluate which surgical approach is best for your body and health condition.
What to Expect with Open Abdominal Surgery
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically lasts several hours.
- You’ll stay in the hospital for a few days to ensure close monitoring of your recovery and healing.
- Pain control, wound care, early mobility and prevention of complications are key focus areas during your recovery.
- Your care team will provide detailed discharge instructions and follow-up plans covering activity limitations, wound monitoring, medication plans and lifestyle adjustments to support long-term vascular health.
Additional Resources