What is Aneurysm Coiling?

Aneurysm means swelling in the wall of the artery that supplies blood to the brain. It can either be a congenital defect or result due to aortic disease or an injury to the artery.

There are 2 major options available for treating aneurysms:

Coiling is preferred over clipping method because clipping technique is yet an invasive procedure and takes longer time to recover from than the coiling procedure.

Endovascular aneurysm coiling is an advanced minimally invasive technique in which there is no incision required for reaching the aneurysm, rather a catheter is used for the same.

If the aneurysm grows, it starts getting thinner and weaker, increasing the chances of rupture and leakage. As a result, blood may flow in the outer area of the artery which is life threatening. In order to save patients from this danger, aneurysm coiling is performed. During the procedure, small platinum coils are released into the aneurysm. These coils cause clotting of the aneurysm (also called embolization), thus stopping blood from flowing into it and letting it flow through the normal arteries.

Decision regarding the choice of aneurysm treatment is taken by the treating doctor after examining the patient’s condition. Coiling is effective in both the cases of ruptured aneurysms as well as unruptured aneurysms. It also has following advantages:

What happens during the procedure?

You will be given some instructions to be followed for the day of procedure. On arrival at the hospital, you will be taken to the cath lab where you will be prepared for the procedure. It takes around 2 to 4 hours.

The procedure is commonly performed under general anesthesia. Your treating doctor will start by inserting a catheter in the groin area. The coil is attached to this catheter. Once the catheter reaches and enters the aneurysm, an electric current is used to separate coil from the catheter. This coil is left there permanently and it seals the aneurysm. Number of coils to be used depends upon the size of the aneurysm. In case the aneurysm has a wide opening or it has an unusual shape, your doctor may use a stent to hold the coil in place. After that your doctor will inject a contrast injection to check the functioning of the coil and ensure that blood is no longer flowing into the aneurysm.

The coils used are made of platinum metal and are very soft spring like in structure. They are so thin that you can compare them to the size of human hair.

The catheter is carefully removed after placing and inspecting the coils. Your doctor or medical attendant may apply some pressure on the groin area for around 30 mins to ensure that there is no bleeding from that site. After that, a bandage is nicely applied over that area.

Post procedure, you will be kept in the recovery area for observation and monitoring of vitals. You may have feelings of nausea or vomiting. You need not worry about this as you will be given medication to take care of these symptoms and pain.

You may also be asked to keep lying straight for a few hours without moving the bandaged leg. You would be discharged from the hospital in a day or two after getting shifted to the ward area.

Post-op care and Recovery

You may find a lump or bruising in the groin area where the catheter was inserted. This is normal and you are just required to follow the instructions given by your doctor at the time of discharge. There might also be a mild headache, which mainly occurs due to the use of contrast dye during the procedure. Trying drinking plenty of water will help as it flushes out the dye.

It is advised not to take up any strenuous activity or driving for the next few days (usually 5 to 7 days) or until the doctor allows you.

While taking a bath, make sure the groin area doesn’t get hurt or pressurized. Gently remove bandage, and clean the area and dry it before applying new bandage. In case, steri-strips have been used instead of bandage, let them fall on their own.

Unless otherwise instructed by a treating doctor, you can get back to routine life in a week or two.

Call your doctor in case of following symptoms:

You will be asked to go for a follow up visit so that your doctor may examine your recovery and make any changes in the medication and also give you instructions to be followed in the long run.

Risks involved in the procedure

As stated earlier too, no procedure is risk free. Some complications and risks are associated with this procedure too. Following is the list of common ones that you should be aware of:

• General complications like infection, stroke, allergic reactions, seizure or bleeding.
• Thromboembolism – which means blood clotting. But there are some medications available to reduce clotting.
• Aneurysm can get ruptured during coiling. This may occur due to puncture caused by catheter, coil or guide wire.
• Arteries can get abnormally narrowed due to irritation caused by movement of catheter.
• If positioning of the coil is not done properly then it may protrude outside in the parent artery, leading to its narrowing down.
• Aneurysm can recur if the coil placed inside does not completely fill the inner space.

All these can be avoided by medication and the expertise of your treating doctor. All you need to do is choose the best hospital with the best team to take care of your problem. There are proven long term benefits of this procedure.

Aneurysm Coiling Surgery in India

India is becoming a popular destination for medical tourism, and aneurysm coiling surgery is one of the most sought-after procedures. The cost of Aneurysm Coiling surgery in India is a fraction of what it would be in developed countries, making it an attractive option for patients from all over the world.

Aneurysm coiling surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat brain aneurysms. The surgery involves placing a small coil in the aneurysm to prevent it from rupturing. Aneurysm coiling surgery is an effective treatment option for brain aneurysms and can be performed safely in India. Aneurysm coiling surgery is typically performed by neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, or neuroendovascular surgeons. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay.