In the case of a ruptured aneurysm, the patient is referred to vascular surgery as quickly as possible, because the resultant hemorrhage requires urgent medical treatment. The most common technique used to repair an aneurysm is the “open technique,” which involves removing the aneurysm and replacing it with a graft made out of a Teflon or polyester tube. One evolving treatment is stent grafting. In this procedure, the graft has a wire mesh affixed to it, and the graft is placed in the aneurysm and removed from blood circulation. This is all done through a small incision and allows for a more rapid recovery time.If the AAA is caught before it ruptures at an asymptomatic stage, the patient is generally advised to reduce his or her risk factors. Surgical repair is usually considered at the discovery stage, depending on the size of the aneurysm. If the AAA is larger than five centimeters in diameter, surgery will usually be performed to prevent it from rupturing. If it is smaller than this, surgery is postponed.
