Prof. Dr. Ali Serdar Fak
Cardiac SurgeryVerified
- 29+years exp.
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Vascular Surgery
Aortic aneurysm surgery
What an aortic aneurysm is, when surgery is advised, how open repair differs from endovascular stent grafting, what the evidence says about each, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, why emergency cases should not travel, hospital stay, recovery milestones, risks and how to check a vascular team.
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Dr. Bülent İlçöl
Cardiac SurgeryVerified
- 25+years exp.
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What is an aortic aneurysm, and what does aortic aneurysm surgery do?
The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aneurysm is a weakened section of its wall that slowly widens, most often in the abdomen (an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA) and less often in the chest (a thoracic aneurysm). Most aneurysms cause no symptoms. The danger is rupture, which is a life-threatening emergency, so aortic aneurysm surgery is offered to reinforce or replace the weakened section before it reaches a size where rupture becomes likely. Hospitals in Turkey perform both open repair and endovascular repair as planned operations for stable patients. This guide covers when surgery is advised, how the two methods differ, what each costs compared with the UK, US and Germany, and what recovery involves. For other heart and vascular services see our cardiology treatments in Turkey.
One point first: this page is for people with a known, non-urgent aneurysm. Sudden severe pain in the abdomen, back or chest, with collapse or faintness, is an emergency; call your local emergency number and do not travel.
When is surgery recommended rather than monitoring?
Small aneurysms are normally watched with regular ultrasound or CT scans, not operated on. The NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme and vascular guidelines generally advise considering repair when an abdominal aneurysm reaches about 5.5 cm across, grows quickly, or causes symptoms, though the threshold is individual and is often lower in women and for some other shapes of aneurysm. Thoracic aneurysms follow their own size rules and depend on the cause, such as connective tissue disorders or a bicuspid aortic valve. The decision always rests on your scans, your age, other health conditions and the surgeon's judgement, so a travelling patient needs recent imaging, ideally a CT angiogram, to be reviewed before any quote is final.
Open repair or stent graft: how does each operation work?
In open repair the surgeon opens the abdomen or chest, clamps the aorta above and below the aneurysm and sews a woven synthetic tube (a graft) in place of the weak section. It is performed under general anaesthesia, usually takes several hours and needs a spell in intensive care. In endovascular repair (EVAR for the abdomen, TEVAR for the chest) a folded stent graft is guided through the arteries of the groin to the aneurysm under X-ray and expanded inside it, so blood flows through the graft and the weak wall is no longer under pressure. It needs only small groin incisions and a shorter stay. Our guide to aortic stent grafting and other vascular procedures explains the stent route in more detail.
Does aortic aneurysm surgery work? What the evidence says
Elective repair of a large aneurysm is well established and lowers the chance of a fatal rupture. Large trials and NHS guidance show that stent grafting carries a lower risk of death and complications in the first weeks than open repair, but the advantage fades over the years, and stent grafts need lifelong imaging because they can leak or move and sometimes need a second procedure. Open repair is a bigger operation with a longer recovery, yet it is usually a more durable one-off solution and is preferred in younger, fitter patients or when the anatomy is unsuitable for a stent. Neither method treats the cause: you will still need blood-pressure control, smoking cessation and regular follow-up.
Aortic aneurysm surgery cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The ranges below are approximate and cover a planned operation without major complications. They are not hospital quotes, and each hospital confirms its price in writing after reviewing your scans.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €9,000 – €28,000 |
| United Kingdom | €18,000 – €45,000 |
| United States | €45,000 – €150,000 |
| Germany | €16,000 – €40,000 |
What moves the price: open repair or stent graft (the device itself is a major cost), whether the aneurysm sits in the abdomen or chest or involves branch vessels, days in intensive care and on the ward, imaging, and any extra procedure. A package should state the operation, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, implants, hospital nights, pre-operative tests and what happens if a complication needs extra days. Ask for these in writing; the aortic aneurysm surgery price is only meaningful with the inclusions listed.
Open repair, stent graft or watchful waiting: how do they compare?
| Option | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Open repair | Fitter patients, unsuitable anatomy for a stent, long-term durability | Longer stay and recovery; bigger operation |
| Stent graft (EVAR / TEVAR) | Suitable neck and artery anatomy, older or higher-risk patients | Lifelong scans; possible leaks and re-intervention |
| Surveillance | Small aneurysms below the repair threshold | Needs regular scans and risk-factor control |
Which one fits you is a matter for a vascular surgeon looking at your CT scan, not for a price list. A clinic that suggests a method without reviewing your imaging should be questioned.
Who is a good candidate for travelling for aneurysm repair?
Travel suits people whose aneurysm is stable, has been measured recently and is not causing symptoms, and who can fly safely. It does not suit anyone with a ruptured, leaking or rapidly expanding aneurysm, or with new pain; those patients need the nearest emergency vascular unit. Heart, lung and kidney function matter because they affect anaesthesia and recovery, so expect an ECG, blood tests and possibly an echocardiogram and lung function tests. People on blood thinners must have their medication plan set by the team in advance. If you also have leg vein problems, our guide to laser treatment for varicose veins covers that separate condition.
What happens before, during and after the operation?
Before surgery the team reviews your CT angiogram, measures the aneurysm and its neck, and plans the graft size. You meet the anaesthetist and stop or adjust medicines as instructed. On the day, open repair is done under general anaesthesia with a catheter and monitoring lines; stent grafting may use general, regional or in some cases local anaesthesia with sedation, and typically takes one to three hours. After open repair patients usually spend one or two days in intensive care and a total of roughly a week to ten days in hospital. After a stent graft a stay of about two to four days is common. A CT scan before discharge checks that the graft sits correctly and blood is not leaking around it.
Aortic aneurysm surgery recovery: how long until you can fly and return to normal?
Recovery depends on the method. After stent grafting most people walk the day after, return to light activity within one to two weeks and to normal routine at around four to six weeks, with no heavy lifting during that time. After open repair expect fatigue for weeks, a wound that needs protecting, and a return to desk work after about six to twelve weeks, depending on the job. Flying is allowed only when the surgeon has examined you, normally after the first scan and a stable post-operative period; plan to stay in Turkey for the length of the hospital stay plus a few days, and discuss with your team how long a flight should wait. Ask for the scans and operation report on disc, because your UK or home specialist will take over the long-term surveillance.
What are the risks and complications of aortic aneurysm surgery?
This is major vascular surgery, and the risks are real. The NHS lists bleeding, infection, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and, rarely, death as possible complications of open repair. For stent grafts, additional concerns are an endoleak (blood leaking around the graft), graft movement or blockage, contrast-dye kidney injury and the need for further procedures. A rarer but serious complication of both is reduced blood flow to the legs, gut or spinal cord. The risk is higher in older patients and in people with heart, lung or kidney disease. A surgeon should explain your personal risk in plain terms and what is done if something goes wrong; the numbers you hear should come from recognised sources such as vascular society registries, not from a sales brochure.
How to choose a vascular surgeon and hospital, and red flags
Look for a vascular or cardiovascular surgeon registered in Turkey who performs aortic repair regularly, working in a licensed hospital with a 24-hour intensive care unit, blood bank, CT imaging and a team able to handle complications. Ask whether they do both open and endovascular repair, because a unit that offers only one may steer you toward it. Red flags: a quote without seeing your CT, a promise of a risk-free operation, no named surgeon, pressure to book before your scans are reviewed and no plan for follow-up scans at home. Read how our process works and send your scan reports through the free quote page; the hospital reviews them and replies in writing.
- Is my aneurysm suitable for a stent graft, open repair, or both?
- How many aortic repairs does this surgeon and unit perform each year?
- What is included in the price, and what if I need more days or a second procedure?
- Who arranges my follow-up scans after I go home, and will you send the reports?
- What is the plan if a complication happens after I fly home?
Hospitals with Cardiac Surgery in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is an operation to repair or replace a weakened, bulging section of the aorta before it can rupture. The weak segment is either replaced with a synthetic tube through open surgery or lined from inside with a stent graft.
Usually when an abdominal aneurysm reaches about 5.5 cm, grows quickly or causes symptoms, though thresholds vary by person and aneurysm type. Smaller aneurysms are watched with regular ultrasound or CT scans.
Planned repair of a large aneurysm greatly lowers the chance of a fatal rupture. Stent grafts carry lower early risk but need lifelong scans, while open repair is a bigger operation that tends to be more durable.
Approximate ranges are €9,000 to €28,000 in Turkey against roughly €18,000 to €45,000 in the UK. The price depends on the method, the device, intensive care days and the aneurysm location, and a written quote confirms it.
Stent grafting usually has a lower risk in the first weeks and a shorter stay, but needs ongoing monitoring and sometimes further procedures. Open repair is bigger but often long-lasting. Your anatomy and fitness decide.
After a stent graft most people resume light activity within one to two weeks and normal routine in four to six. After open repair expect about six to twelve weeks before returning to desk work.
Only if it is stable, recently scanned and causing no symptoms, and your doctor agrees you can fly. A ruptured or rapidly growing aneurysm is an emergency that needs the nearest hospital.
A stent graft usually needs about two to four nights, open repair roughly a week to ten days including one or two nights in intensive care. Plan a few extra days before flying home.
Risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, heart, kidney or lung problems, stroke and, rarely, death. Stent grafts add the possibility of leaks around the graft and later procedures, so lifelong imaging follow-up matters.
Yes. A scan before discharge checks the repair, and stent graft patients need regular imaging, often yearly, for life. Ask the hospital to give you reports and images so your home specialist can continue the surveillance.
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