Queensland first vascular surgery

In February 2007, a team of specialists at the Mater Private Hospital Brisbane (MPHB) CardioVascular Unit (CVU) successfully performed a Queensland first.

By using a Prostar closure device during an Aortic Aneurysm procedure, otherwise known as Aortic Endograft, the team effectively enabled a 62-year-old male patient to be discharged the day after surgery.

The patient was diagnosed by Dr Russell Price, Vascular Surgeon, in June 2006 as having a 3.4 cm round aneurysm in his abdomen. By January 2007, the aneurysm had increased to 4.6 cm in size. To reduce the risk of the aneurysm continuing to grow, the decision was made to operate.

Dr Russell Price and Cardiologist, Dr Peter Hadjipetrou performed the procedure at the Mater CardioVascular Unit using two devices, the Prostar closure device and the Gore Endovascular prosthesis.

The technique involved puncturing the common femoral artery on the right and passing the first Prostar device up into the artery before the procedure started. The device was then actuated and drawn out, using four needles to puncture the wall from the inside of the artery on the left side. These needles carried two sutures and four ends which were brought out onto the surface of the skin.

A second Prostar device was then used on the right side of the artery and inserted a total of four sutures and eight ends. This process was then repeated on the left side. The Aortic Endograft then proceeded as normal and was successful in removing the aneurysm.

By using this closure technique, the specialists were able to reduce the size of the incision on either side of the groin area from at least 5 cm in length to 6 mm. This was the first time in Queensland the Prostar device had been used in an Aortic Endograft procedure.

As this device reduced the size of the incisions, the patient was able to move around more freely without major pain and was able to go home on the first day postoperatively. In the past, the patient would have had to remain in hospital for a period of three to four days and would have been in significant pain.

According to Mr Don Murray, Executive Director, Mater Private Hospital, the use of the Prostar in various procedures will revolutionise patient care at MPHB.

“We are very excited about this Queensland first as it means that patients will experience less pain and be discharged from hospital earlier to fully recover at home,” Mr Murray said.