In January 2009, Tim Keeley, 62, was experiencing what he thought was just an average stomachache, but the pain persisted and his ankles started to swell. "I knew something was very wrong and that I needed to get to the hospital immediately," he says.
The Aberdeen resident went directly to the hospital. After several tests and a CT scan, it became clear that Tim was suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), or swelling of the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the abdomen.
This type of aneurysm can be caused by a weakness in the artery wall. It affects men more frequently than women. Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. AAAs are extremely dangerous as the treat of a rupture could cause life-threatening internal bleeding, so Tim's surgery was scheduled at Riverview Medical Center right away.
Looking into Minimally Invasive Options
Tim's surgeon, Alfonso Ciervo, M.D., a board certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon at Riverview, knew he had to operate. "We tried to correct this very large aneurysm through an endovascular procedure, which would normally go through the groin," says Dr. Ciervo.
This procedure would have taken place at Riverview's new Endovascular Suite, which gives the multi-disciplinary Vascular Team the ability to conduct minmally invasive procedures through techniques such as diagnostic catheterization, stenting, balloon angioplasty, and embolization. These procedures can help treat problems including AAAs, stroke, carotid artery disease, and other peripheral vascular disorders.
The minimally invasive approach means less radiation exposure for the patient, reduced recovery time without the pain of a large incision, and less visible surgical scarring.
Finding a Solution
Unfortunately, Tim was not a candidate for the endovascular procedure due to calcification in his arteries. "It was then that we determined we would have to perform an open surgical repair," says Dr. Ciervo.
For this procedure, Dr. Ciervo relied on the assistance of two fellow Riverview surgeons, Stephen Kolakowski, M.D., and Hung Nguyen, M.D., both board certified in general surgery.
Tim spent 10 days at Riverview recovering from surgery. "I experienced very little pain and felt better each and every day," says Tim. "I was sent home, where I rested for about a week, and from there on out I was back to my old self, working, golfing, and playing with my dog."
About the Doctor
Alfonso C. Ciervo, M.D.
Board certified in General Surgery
Eatontown| 732-380-1222
