Complex aortic aneurysm treatment in Wichita

Via Christi St. Francis offers an advanced treatment that provides new hope to patients facing a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA). This new treatment marks an important milestone in vascular care for Via Christi St. Francis by becoming the first hospital in Wichita to perform a new minimally invasive procedure for complex aortic aneurysms. 

A TAAA is a dangerous bulge in the aorta—the body’s largest artery—as it travels from the chest into the abdomen. This area is especially critical because it supplies blood to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, and intestines.

If left untreated, these aneurysms carry a high risk of rupture, which can be fatal. Until now, treatment options were often limited and required major open surgery.

A safer, less invasive approach

Surgeons at Via Christi St. Francis successfully performed Wichita’s first Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE) procedure, a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery. The procedure was led by vascular surgeons Amin Ahmed, MD, FACS, and Chad Ammar, MD, FACS, Medical Director of Vascular Surgery.

Instead of a large incision in the chest and abdomen, the TAMBE procedure uses small incisions in the groin and arm to guide a specialized stent into place. Once positioned, the stent reinforces the weakened area of the aorta while maintaining healthy blood flow to nearby organs.

Faster recovery, less disruption

Traditional open surgery for this condition often requires lengthy hospital stays and extended rehabilitation.

With the TAMBE procedure, many patients experience:

• Shorter hospital stays, often three to seven days
• Less post-operative pain
• A quicker return to light daily activities

“This is a major step forward for patients in Kansas who previously had very limited treatment options,” said Dr. Ammar. “For the right patients, this approach can mean less pain and a much faster recovery.”

Care close to home

Before this procedure was available locally, patients often had to travel hundreds of miles for treatment. 

Bringing this advanced technology to Via Christi St. Francis allows patients to receive high-quality, innovative care closer to home.

“Our goal is to provide cutting-edge vascular care right here in our community,” said Dr. Ahmed. “This milestone reflects our commitment to improving access to advanced treatments for our patients.”

Recognized excellence in vascular care

Via Christi St. Francis has recently been recognized for its commitment to quality and leading-edge vascular surgery care, with recognition for strong clinical outcomes and high-quality care.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm or has concerns about vascular health, talk with your care team to learn whether advanced minimally invasive options may be right for you.