News Seton Medical Center Hays is Minimizing Surgical Trauma in Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Dr. Joe Wells First in Hays County to Treat AAA with Endovascular Graft

KYLE, TX - (August 3, 2010) - Seton Medical Center Hays (SMCH), a member of the Seton Family of Hospitals, and Dr. Joe Wells completed Hays County's first minimally invasive procedure for abdominal aortic aneurysms, using an endovascular stent graft.

Each year approximately 200,000 new cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are diagnosed. An AAA, a bulge in the aorta, can rupture with life-threatening results and is the leading cause of death from aneurysms.

To complete the new procedure, Dr. Wells used an endoluminal graft device that relines the abdominal aorta and isolates the aneurysm from blood circulation. Inserted through small incisions in the patient's legs, the outcomes of this new treatment option include decreased procedural times and shorter hospital stays.

Prior to the new device, repairing an AAA required a standard open surgical procedure involving a larger incision, longer hospital stay and more painful recovery.

"This is a game changer. It allows us to repair these aneurysms in patients who normally would've been passed over for surgery due to age or sickness," said Dr. Joe Wells a vascular surgeon with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, specializing in minimally invasive vascular procedures, such as endoluminal abdominal aneurysm repair, arterial balloon angioplasty and stent placement. "This less invasive procedure extends the longevity of our patients by eliminating the possibility of a rupture causing death."

After experiencing severe lower back pain and visiting his primary care physician, Lewis Daws was sent to Dr. Wells who identified a large aneurysm in danger of rupturing. He had surgery on a Wednesday and was home by Thursday.

"After one week he felt good and was back to walking a little every day," said John Daws, son of the patient. "He turns 89 next month and last night was out to dinner with friends. The way he's bounced back from this is totally amazing to me."

SMCH is committed to recruiting talented physicians like Dr. Wells to perform advanced procedures that improve patient outcomes.

"I spoke with the patient's primary care physician who was surprised to see the patient putting gas in his car just a few days following surgery. He was very happy to see him out of the hospital so quickly and returning to a routine activity level," said Dr. Patrick Garcia, vice president, medical affairs at SMCH. "These types of procedures are now available in this area without having to travel to Austin or San Antonio."