Mangaluru: In a milestone for medical care in the region, AJ Hospital and Research Centre, Mangaluru, has successfully performed Coastal Karnataka’s first open surgical repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm—marking a significant achievement in high-risk vascular surgery.
Life-threatening emergency following prior EVAR procedure
The patient, a 57-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease on regular dialysis, and also suffering from hypertension, was under evaluation for a kidney transplant. During his preoperative screening, a CT angiography unexpectedly revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm—a dangerous bulge in the body’s main artery.
To address the condition, he first underwent a minimally invasive procedure known as Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR), where a stent is placed inside the artery to reinforce it. While initially successful, two months later the aneurysm began leaking and ultimately ruptured, turning into a life-threatening emergency.
Complex high-risk open surgery saves the patient
Responding to the critical situation, the multidisciplinary team at AJ Hospital swiftly performed an emergency open surgery to remove the leaking stent and repair the severely damaged aorta. The high-risk operation was led by Dr Sambhram Shetty, Consultant in Cardiothoracic, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. He was joined by Dr Jayashankar Marla (Cardiothoracic Surgeon), Dr Shiv Shankar Bhatt (General and Laparoscopic Surgeon), cardiac anaesthetists Dr Guru Raj Tantri and Dr Rakesh, and MICU intensivist Dr Sudesh Rao.
The surgical procedure, which is among the most challenging interventions in vascular surgery, was executed with precision. The patient was then closely monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and managed by a team of critical care specialists using state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Thanks to timely intervention, expert care, and cutting-edge facilities, the patient made a good recovery and was discharged in stable condition.
A definitive but demanding surgical approach
Open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, although considered the gold standard in terms of long-term outcomes, remains a complex and demanding procedure. It is rarely attempted in such high-risk cases, especially in patients with pre-existing kidney failure and multiple comorbidities. This successful outcome highlights the growing capability of regional centres like AJ Hospital in handling advanced vascular emergencies.
AJ Hospital reinforces its role as a regional leader
Dr Prashanth Marla, Medical Director of AJ Hospital and Research Centre, praised the team for their exceptional work. “At AJ Hospital, we are dedicated to providing advanced medical care and pioneering challenging surgeries. This successful case showcases our team’s expertise, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering commitment to saving lives,” he stated.
He further added that with such complex procedures now available locally, patients in Coastal Karnataka need not travel far for world-class vascular and critical care. “We will continue to strive for excellence across all medical specialties,” Dr Marla affirmed.
AJ Hospital and Research Centre continues to set new benchmarks in healthcare delivery in the region, combining clinical excellence with modern infrastructure to offer life-saving treatments with the highest standards of care.