Keyhole Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Dr David Cooper, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon

Dr Richard Bulbulia, Consultant General and Endovascular Surgeon

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition which affects around four per cent of men aged between 65 and 74 in England (approx. 80,000 men).

It is largely thanks to the expertise and drive of doctors within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that there is now a national screening programme, based in Gloucestershire, which aims to detect and treat AAA early.

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall. As blood passes through the weakened vessel, the blood pressure causes it to bulge outwards like a balloon. This may cause the blood vessel to burst or block.

Historically, treatment was only possible with a major operation requiring a long hospital stay and a long period of recovery for patients.

However, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the only healthcare providers in the world to offer Laparoscopic, or keyhole, Aneurysm repair.

The expert surgeons who carry out this state-of-the-art procedure will explain and demonstrate how laparoscopic surgery and another keyhole technique called endovascular (inside the Artery) aneurysm repair is carried out, using high tech simulators, video and real equipment.

You will use and observe state of the art computerised training equipment, with images and tactile feedback and also have a go at a keyhole surgery using models and unexpected objects – like jelly babies!

The workshop also features a rolling film showing endovascular and laparoscopic aneurysm repair in action.

For tickets and more information contact the Science Festival Box Office Tel: 0844 880 8094 or visit the Science Festival website