HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is the first hospital in central Pennsylvania to perform a minimally invasive surgery for complex aortic aneurysms — life threatening conditions often referred to as “silent assassins.”
The new procedure, known as a thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis, or TAMBE, offers a crucial alternative to open-chest and abdominal surgery. It significantly lowers the risks of complications, infection and prolonged recovery, especially for patients who were previously considered too high-risk for treatment, according to Faisal Aziz, division chief and program director of vascular surgery at Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute.
Using the TAMBE procedure, surgeons place small incisions in both groins and on the left arm to insert a custom-made stent graft with branches to fit around the aneurysm. This allows blood to flow through the graft and bypass the aneurysm, effectively neutralizing it.
“This is a game-changer for patients with some of the most complex and dangerous aneurysms,” Aziz. “For people who might not survive open surgery, TAMBE offers a lifesaving option with fewer risks, shorter hospital stays and a faster return to daily life.”
Faisal Aziz, Josh Radtka and their vascular surgery team performed the first TAMBE procedure in March. The patient had already undergone standard endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair several years ago and now suffered the aneurysmal development in the thoracoabdominal aortic segment. The patient did well, returning home a few days later to recover.
“We’re working to expand access to this advanced procedure while training more surgeons to use it,” Aziz added. “It’s all part of our commitment to bringing the most advanced care to central Pennsylvania.” Both Aziz and Radtka said they are excited to be able to offer this innovative solution to patients from central Pennsylvania who are suffering from complicated thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.
While the TAMBE procedure is currently limited to select cases, three Penn State Health vascular surgeons, including Aziz, Radtka and Tarik Ali, have been trained to perform it, with additional specialists currently undergoing training.
Penn State Health Heart and Vascular Institute offers patients access to some of the most advanced aortic care in the region, backed by the research and clinical expertise of Penn State College of Medicine.
As the only academic medical center based in central Pennsylvania, Penn State Health is uniquely positioned to bring cutting-edge procedures like the TAMBE procedure to local patients, who once had few, if any, options for aortic aneurysm care.