Redo Open Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Exploratory Laparotomy for Fecal Decontamination

In Jan-2020, I underwent a Redo Open Extent II Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery, which included a combined ‘exploratory laparotomy’ (awake under epidural anesthesia) to evacuate fecal matter from my abdomen. The 20+ hour surgery was fraught with complications.

Dr. Dugan’s (Lead CT FA) Post-Op Notes for Operative Report:

• Heart was noticeably grey and flaccid during Open Cardiac Massage - signals late-stage CHF

• Aortic tissue was like ‘tissue paper’ - likely worst I’ve seen in 8 years of Open Aortic Cases

• Redo field was a nightmare due to adhesions - required removal of 5 ribs and use of oscillating sternal saw to cut through calcified adhesions

• Likely major hypoxic brain injury due to length of OCM

• Massive EBL - required 25 gown changes and almost 40 overglove changes throughout case due to saturation

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