De-branching of aorta during Aortic Aneurysm repair

Even though it was introduced more than 5 decades back open surgical aortic aneurysm repair is still considered to be a major surgery associated with morbidity and mortality. Aneurysms of the aorta are repaired only in few centers in the state Andhrapradesh. Therefore it is not a popular operation and it is also associated with an expenditure which is unpredictable due to the perioperative and postoperative events.  The common man who is generally dependent on the Govt health services. But very few government hospitals are providing the aneurysmsal surgery services through the cardiothoracic surgery departments. The new health care scheme "Aarogyasri" is covering the aortic aneurysm repair but the reimbursement is limited and so, the providers in the hospitals are hesitant to ask their treating doctors to take up such cases. In the past many complex aortic aneurysms engulfing the important branches were considered to be inoperable or associated with high morbidity. But endovascular repair with debranching of the aorta is making it possible to treat these patients with less morbidity and more predictability of outcomes.

There is a loud rethinking in the west that this type of two stage procedures (debranching and endorepair) can save the patients from morbidity and mortality. But the cost of such procedures still continues to be high and in few institutions in India  it is exorbitantly high.  The Aarogyasri scheme is currently not recognizing and covering such therapies. It would be better and helpful to the patients if the health insurances companies enquire about such procedures and approve few hospitals to provide such therapies to benefit the people who are in need of such treatments.