Kuwaiti surgeon treats aortic aneurysm with internal sonar
New technique used for first time in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, April 24: Kuwaiti Dr Abdullah AlFawaz, a consultant vascular and general surgeon at Mubarak Hospital has successfully performed the first operation to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) through catheterization, using internal ultrasound, a new technique used for the first time in Kuwait as an alternative to intravenous dye that may cause complications in some kidney patients, reports Al-Rai daily.
The surgery was performed today, Sunday, on an 80-year-old patient who was suffering from aortic aneurysm and abdominal bleeding.
Al-Fawaz added that it was necessary to perform the catheterization urgently and safely, either by opening the abdomen and repairing the artery, or to perform the traditional catheterization that needs intravenous dye, but the patient could not tolerate this process, given that he suffers from weak kidney functions.
He explained that the matter required catheterization using internal sonar as an alternative to the intravenous dye to see the arteries from the inside and treat the patient, which is a new technique used for the first time in Kuwait.
He stated that he performed the operation more than once in America and achieved good successes, but it is the first time he performed it in Kuwait, indicating that the operation that was conducted in Mubarak Hospital took two hours and was successful, and the patient’s condition is stable.
Al-Fawaz said that the internal sonar technique is characterized by high accuracy in the examination and can be used as a substitute for the intravenous dye for people who suffer from kidney disease or in cases that do not need the accuracy of the dye.
He explained that an aneurysm is a condition that arises when a specific area of the walls of the abdominal aorta suffers from weakness that may make it expand and swell, pointing out that the aorta is the largest artery in the body and transports oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, but the most parts of this artery susceptible to aneurysm is the part which passes into the abdomen.