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Surgical thrombectomy is a procedure used to remove a blood clot from an artery or vein.
Blood normally circulates freely through your blood vessels, arteries, and veins. Your arteries deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body via blood. Your veins transport waste products back to your heart. In some cases, the blood thickens and clumps together to form a clot in one of these vessels. This can obstruct blood flow. When blood flow is interrupted, nearby tissues can be harmed.
A surgeon makes an incision into a blood vessel during a surgical thrombectomy. The blood vessel is repaired after the clot is removed. This helps to restore blood flow. A balloon or other device may be placed in the blood vessel to help keep it open in some cases.
WHY MIGHT I REQUIRE SURGICAL THROMBECTOMY?
If you have a blood clot in an artery or vein, you may require surgical thrombectomy. This surgery is frequently required to treat a blood clot in an arm or leg. It may also be required in some cases to treat a blood clot in an organ or other part of the body.
A blood clot can cause a variety of issues, including:
- Arm or leg swelling, pain, numbness, or tingling
- A cold feeling in the area
- Muscle pain in the affected area
- Vein enlargement (postthrombotic syndrome)
- Tissue death
- An organ's failure to function
- A blood clot that has moved to the lung, causing breathing difficulties and a risk of death (pulmonary embolism)
If you have a large clot, your doctor may recommend surgical thrombectomy. If your blood clot is causing severe tissue damage, he or she may recommend surgery. Surgery is not the only option for treating a blood clot. Blood thinners are commonly used to treat people who have blood clots. These are administered via injection or IV. They have the ability to keep a blood clot from growing in size.
Each treatment for blood clots has its own set of risks and benefits. Consult your doctor to see if surgical thrombectomy is an option for you. You could benefit from speaking with a doctor who specializes in blood vessel problems. This type of doctor is known as a vascular specialist.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SURGICAL THROMBECTOMY?
Every surgery has risks. Among the risks of surgical thrombectomy are:
- Excessive bleeding that has the potential to be fatal.
- Infection
- Blood vessel damage at the site of the blood clot
- Anesthesia reaction
- Embolism of the lungs
There's also the possibility that your blood clot will form again. Your personal risks will vary depending on your overall health and how your blood clots. They may also differ depending on how long the clot has been present and where it is located in your body. Discuss all of your concerns and questions with your doctor.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A SURGICAL THROMBECTOMY
You will be asked to sign an Informed Consent form prior to the procedure. This grants you permission to carry out the procedure. It also states that you fully understand the procedure's risks and benefits and that you have had all of your questions answered. Before you sign, make certain that all of your questions have been satisfactorily answered.
Consult your doctor about how to prepare for your surgery. Inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking. Aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements are examples of OTC medications. Some medications, such as blood thinners, may need to be stopped ahead of time. If you smoke, you must quit before your surgery. Smoking can cause a delay in healing. Consult your doctor if you need assistance quitting smoking.
Make sure you tell the medical team ahead of time if you have any of the following:
- Do you have any allergies?
- Have you recently experienced any changes in your health, such as a fever?
- Are you pregnant or think you might be pregnant?
- Have you ever had an anesthesia problem?
Before the procedure, you may need some tests, such as:
- Ultrasound, to assess blood flow in the leg and aid in the diagnosis of a blood clot.
- A venogram (for a vein clot) or an arteriogram (for an artery clot) will be performed to obtain an image of your vessels.
- A computed tomography (CT) scan will be performed to obtain more information about the blood clot.
- If more information is required, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used.
- Blood tests to assess your overall health
DURING A SURGICAL THROMBECTOMY, WHAT HAPPENS?
Discuss with your doctor what to expect during the procedure. The specifics will vary depending on the type of surgery you have. They will also differ depending on the part of the body that is being treated. A typical surgical thrombectomy might look something like this:
- Before the procedure begins, an IV will be placed in your arm or hand. This IV will be used to administer medications to you. A blood thinner, such as heparin, may be administered to you. This is done to help prevent new blood clots from forming during the procedure.
- You will also be given anesthesia via IV line. This will relieve your pain and put you to sleep during the procedure. You could also be sedated. This will make you sleepy and relaxed during surgery.
- Hair in the surgical area may be removed. A local anesthetic may be used to numb the area.
- During the surgery, the surgeon may use continuous X-ray images.
- A cut will be made in the area above your blood clot by the doctor. He or she will cut the blood vessel open and remove the clot.
- In some cases, a balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) will be inserted into the blood vessel to remove any remaining clot. A stent may be inserted into the blood vessel to assist in keeping it open.
- The blood vessel will be closed and repaired by your doctor. This will then allow blood flow to resume.
- Your skin incision will be closed and bandaged.
AFTER A SURGICAL THROMBECTOMY, WHAT HAPPENS?
You will be in a recovery room for several hours following the procedure. Your vital signs, such as heart rate and breathing rate, will be monitored by your healthcare team. Depending on your condition, you may need to stay in the hospital for a day or more. More information about what to expect will be provided by your doctor.
Following the procedure, you may be required to take medication for a short period of time to help prevent blood clots. Any other changes to your medication will be communicated to you by your doctor. You can take pain relievers if necessary. Consult your doctor about which to take.
Your doctor will most likely advise you to get back on your feet as soon as possible after the treatment. Compression stockings may be required. This will aid in preventing the clot from forming again. It can also help prevent the formation of a new one.
You should give up smoking. This reduces your chances of developing blood clots in the future. Consult your doctor if you need assistance quitting smoking.
After you leave the hospital, your doctor will monitor your health. There will be follow-up appointments. A venogram is an imaging test that your doctor may use to examine your blood vessels. Maintain all of your follow-up appointments. This will allow your doctor to monitor your progress.
If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away:
- Swelling or worsening pain
- Leakage of fluid from the incision
- Fever
- Bleeding on any part of your body
- Weakness, pain, or numbness in the area of surgery
Obey all of your doctor's orders. This includes any medication, exercise, or wound care advice.