Prof. Dr. Ali Serdar Fak
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Cardiac Surgery
Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery Treatment in Turkey
An aneurysm of the abdominal artery, commonly called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, is an abnormal enlargement of the main blood vessel supplying the abdomen. It often develops quietly in older adults, though some individuals notice a pulsing sensation near the navel or persistent backache. Potential treatment options depend on a specialist assessment measuring the aneurysm's diameter, shape, and growth rate. Compare hospitals in Turkey that treat Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery and get a free review of your medical records.
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Dr. Bülent İlçöl
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About Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery
An aneurysm of the abdominal artery, commonly called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, is an abnormal enlargement of the main blood vessel supplying the abdomen. It often develops quietly in older adults, though some individuals notice a pulsing sensation near the navel or persistent backache. Potential treatment options depend on a specialist assessment measuring the aneurysm's diameter, shape, and growth rate.
Specialty: Cardiac Surgery
Best Clinics for Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery Treatment in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
The cost of treating Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery depends on the diagnosis and the treatment chosen. Doctors first review your medical records — free of charge — and you then receive an itemised quote.
Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery is treated by Cardiac Surgery specialists. 2 clinics in Turkey on our platform offer this treatment.
What Is an Aneurysm of the Abdominal Artery and Its Symptoms?
An aneurysm of the abdominal artery, commonly called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, is a focal enlargement of the abdominal aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel delivering oxygenated blood from the heart through the chest and abdomen. When degenerative changes, arterial disease, or genetic factors weaken the arterial wall, constant blood pressure causes the vessel to balloon outward beyond its normal width of approximately two centimetres. In clinical practice, an abdominal aorta dilated to three centimetres or wider is diagnosed as an aneurysm.
Most individuals experience no symptoms during initial stages. As the aneurysm expands, some individuals notice warning signs, such as:
- A pulsing or throbbing sensation deep in the abdomen, typically near the navel.
- A persistent, dull ache in the lower back, flank, or abdomen unaffected by position changes.
- A feeling of abdominal fullness after small meals due to pressure on surrounding digestive organs.
- Coldness, numbness, or pain in the lower limbs if small clots break away from the aneurysm wall.
Because an expanding aneurysm stretches the arterial wall, it carries a risk of rupture. Treatment strategies are coordinated by specialist cardiac surgery and vascular teams to prevent serious complications.
How an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Is Diagnosed
Hospitals in Turkey use detailed diagnostic evaluations to establish the precise diameter, shape, and progression of an aneurysm before recommending treatment.
Standard Diagnostic Investigations
- Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound: A non-invasive scan that measures aortic diameter and tracks growth over time without radiation.
- Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA): The definitive scan providing high-resolution cross-sectional images of the aorta and iliac vessels, essential for planning surgical or catheter-based repair.
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): An alternative imaging method for individuals unable to receive iodinated CT contrast agents.
- Pre-Operative Systemic Evaluations: Broad check-ups and diagnostics, including cardiac assessment and respiratory clearance from pulmonology and thoracic surgery specialists, ensuring anaesthesia safety.
Medical Records to Bring
Patients travelling abroad should bring previous ultrasound reports, recent CT scan files in digital DICOM format, kidney function blood tests, a current medication list, and documented cardiology history.
Treatment Options and When Each Is Considered
Intervention depends on the aneurysm's diameter, growth rate, morphology, and the patient's surgical fitness. Small, asymptomatic aneurysms are generally managed through conservative surveillance.
| Option | Typically used when | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Active Surveillance | Aneurysm is smaller than 5.0 to 5.5 centimetres, asymptomatic, and stable. | Involves regular ultrasound scans every six to twelve months, blood pressure management, and smoking cessation. |
| Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) | Aneurysm reaches intervention threshold (usually 5.5 cm in men, 5.0 cm in women) with suitable vascular anatomy. | Minimally invasive approach placing a stent-graft through groin punctures; requires long-term imaging follow-up to detect endoleaks. |
| Open Surgical Repair | Anatomy is unsuitable for EVAR (such as short arterial necks) or in younger, low-risk patients. | Open abdominal operation replacing the weakened section with a durable synthetic graft, supported by general surgery units. |
The treating vascular specialist determines the most suitable approach following detailed review of arterial imaging.
Planning Treatment in Turkey: Timelines and Follow-up
Undergoing elective aneurysm repair abroad requires structured planning and close coordination between home and international medical teams.
Remote Imaging Review
Surgical teams in Turkey review your digital CTA scans prior to travel. This confirms anatomical feasibility for EVAR or open surgery and ensures required graft components are prepared in advance.
Hospital Stay and Recovery Duration
For EVAR, hospitalisation is typically two to three days, followed by five to seven days in local accommodation for wound assessment and imaging before flying home (total stay seven to ten days). Open surgical repair requires five to seven days in hospital, followed by seven to ten days of outpatient recovery before fit-to-fly clearance. Post-operative recovery may incorporate structured cardiovascular rehabilitation.
Follow-up Care at Home
Stent-graft recipients need imaging at one month, six months, and annually thereafter. You must arrange for a local doctor or vascular unit to perform ongoing surveillance scans and review graft positioning.
When Travel Is Not Advisable and Emergency Signs
Medical travel is contraindicated if an aneurysm is unstable. You must not undertake commercial air travel if your aneurysm exceeds 5.5 centimetres without specialist clearance, shows rapid recent expansion, or causes persistent abdominal or back discomfort. Atmospheric pressure shifts and lack of immediate surgical access during transit present grave dangers.
A leaking or ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening medical emergency. Seek urgent emergency care locally rather than travelling if you notice:
- Sudden, excruciating, tearing pain in the abdomen, flank, or lower back.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or sudden fainting caused by dropping blood pressure.
- A weak, rapid pulse accompanied by cold, pale, or clammy skin.
- Abdominal swelling, tenderness, or vomiting.
These warning signs demand immediate emergency ambulance transport and urgent intervention at your local hospital.
Frequently asked questions
Most abdominal aortic aneurysms develop without symptoms and are discovered incidentally during routine medical examinations or imaging for unrelated complaints, such as kidney or digestive evaluations. In other instances, a doctor might detect a pulsating lump during a physical examination of the abdomen. If an aneurysm is suspected, a simple abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan confirms the diagnosis and measures its size accurately.
Endovascular aneurysm repair is a minimally invasive technique where surgeons insert a fabric-covered stent through small incisions in the groin, guiding it into the aorta under X-ray imaging. Open surgical repair involves a larger abdominal incision to replace the dilated aorta with a synthetic tube graft. EVAR offers faster initial recovery, whereas open repair is a durable option for complex vascular anatomies unsuitable for stenting.
Air travel is generally acceptable for small, stable aneurysms measuring under 5 centimetres, provided your blood pressure is well controlled. However, if an aneurysm is large, growing rapidly, or causing pain, flying commercially is unsafe due to the risk of rupture. You must obtain formal clearance from your vascular specialist before booking any international flights for assessment or treatment.
If your aneurysm does not yet require surgical intervention, lifestyle adjustments help reduce the rate of expansion. The most crucial step is quitting smoking, as tobacco accelerates arterial wall weakening. Keeping blood pressure within target limits through prescribed medication, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing cholesterol, and avoiding heavy lifting or sudden strenuous exertion protect arterial integrity between regular surveillance scans.
Patients undergoing endovascular repair require lifelong surveillance to verify that the stent-graft remains firmly anchored and free from leaks. Typical follow-up schedules involve contrast CT angiography or duplex ultrasound at one month, six months, and annually thereafter. You can arrange these scans with your local vascular specialist in your home country and share the imaging reports with your Turkish surgical team if needed.