Mater Private Hospital performs a Queensland first

In February, a team of specialists at the Mater Private Hospital CardioVascular Unit successfully performed a Queensland first.

By using a Prostar closure device during an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (otherwise known as aortic endograft) the team effectively enabled a 62-year-old male patient to be discharged the day after surgery. The patient was diagnosed in August 2006 during an ultrasound for abdominal pain. At this stage the aneurysm was 3.4cm in diameter. By January 2007, the aneurysm had increased in size and the patient was referred to Dr Russell Price.

A CT scan demonstrated that the aneurysm had increased to 5.1cm in diameter and a decision was made to operate in order to minimize the risk of rupture or other complications associated with aneurysm expansion. Dr Russell Price and Cardiologist, Dr Peter Hadjipetrou performed the procedure at Mater CardioVascular Unit using two devices—the Prostar closure device and the Gore Endovascular prosthesis.

The technique initially involved puncturing the common femoral artery on the right and passing the first Prostar device up into the artery. The device is then actuated to expose four needles. The device is slowly withdrawn, and the needles puncture the arterial wall from within outwards. These needles carry two sutures and four ends which are brought out onto the surface of the skin. A second Prostar device was then used on the left side. The aortic endograft then proceeded as normal with the stent graft components being deployed via guiding sheaths placed in the arterial punctures. The procedure was successful in excluding the aneurysm. At the conclusion of the procedure, the sheaths were withdrawn and the ties used to close the arterial punctures.

By using this closure technique, the specialists were able to reduce the size of each skin incision from at least 5 cm in length down to 6 mm in length. This was a first time in Queensland that the Prostar device has been used in an aortic endograft procedure. As this device reduced the size of the incisions, the patient was able to move around more freely without major pain and was able to go home on the first day postoperatively.

In the past, the patient would have had to remain in hospital for a period of three to four days and would have been in significant pain. According to Mr Don Murray, Executive Director, Mater Private Hospital, the use of the Prostar in various procedures will revolutionalise patient care at Mater Private Hospital.

“We are very excited about this Queensland first as it means that patients will experience less pain and be discharged from hospital earlier to fully recover at home,” Mr Murray said.

The team of exceptional Visiting Medical Officers at Mater Private Hospital CardioVascular Unit;

Dr John Bingley—vascular surgeon
Wesley Hospital, Suite 88, Level 5
Sandford Jackson Building
30 Chasley St Auchenflower Qld 4066
Telephone: (07) 3720 8818

Dr James Cameron—cardiologist
Queensland Cardiovascular Group
Mater Medical Centre
Suite 10, Level 6, 293 Vulture St
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Telephone: (07) 3840 1700

Dr Louise Carey—cardiologist
Queensland Cardiovascular Group
Mater Medical Centre
Suite 10, Level 6, 293 Vulture St
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Telephone: (07) 3840 1700

Dr Malcolm Davison—cardiologist
Queensland Cardiovascular Group
Mater Medical Centre
Suite 10, Level 6, 293 Vulture St
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Telephone: (07) 3840 1700

Dr Peter Duffy—vascular surgeon
Mater Medical Centre
Level 7, 293 Vulture St
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Telephone (07) 3846 2500

Dr Peter Hadjipetrou—cardiologist
Queensland Cardiovascular Group
St Andrew's Place
33 North St, Spring Hill 4004
Telephone: (07) 3016 1155

Dr Tim McGahan—vascular surgeon
Alexandra, 201 Wickham Terrace
Brisbane Qld 4000
Telephone: (07) 3831 7700

Dr Przemyslaw Palka—cardiologist
Queensland Cardiovascular Group
Mater Medical Centre
Suite 10, Level 6, 293 Vulture Street
South Brisbane 4101
Telephone (07) 3840 1700

Dr Russell Price—vascular surgeon
Mater Private Hospital Redland
Weippin Street, Cleveland 4163
Telephone (07) 3839 1733