Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Surgeries Now Routine at GPHC
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) continues to advance in specialised surgical care, with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) repairs now becoming a routine procedure at our institution.
An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition where the aorta, the main blood vessel supplying blood to the body, enlarges and weakens in the abdomen. If left untreated, it can rupture, causing severe internal bleeding and often leading to fatal outcomes. Prior to 2020, patients diagnosed with AAA in Guyana had limited treatment options, often having to seek medical care overseas, while only palliative measures were available locally.
However, in a significant step forward, the government took a proactive approach by facilitating specialised vascular training for Dr. Carlos Martin at McMaster University in Canada. Upon his return, Dr. Martin and his team performed the first successful elective and ruptured AAA repairs at GPHC, marking a new era in vascular surgery in Guyana.
On January 13, 2025, the Vascular Department at GPHC successfully performed another AAA repair on a 72-year-old patient who presented with abdominal pain. Upon investigation, he was found to have a large AAA. This successful intervention highlights the hospital’s growing expertise in vascular surgery and underscores our commitment to providing life-saving procedures locally.
AAA surgeries require significant resources, including specialised grafts and extensive interdepartmental collaboration. Anaesthesia, Cardiology, and Pulmonary teams work in unison to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing this complex procedure. Thanks to the unwavering support of our CEO, Mr. Robbie Rambaran; Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Navin Rambaran; and Head of Surgical Services, Dr. David Samaroo, AAA repairs that were once considered high-risk and complex are now becoming standard practice at GPHC.
To date, the vascular department has successfully completed over ten major aneurysm repairs, a testament to the expertise, infrastructure, and resources now firmly in place at our institution. Moving forward in 2025, the Vascular Department, under the leadership of Dr. Carlos Martin, aims to expand its scope to include even more advanced vascular procedures. Additionally, plans are underway to enhance human resource capacity by sending more medical professionals for specialised training, ensuring that Guyanese patients continue to receive world-class vascular care right here at GPHC.
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation remains committed to medical excellence and innovation, continuously pushing boundaries to improve patient care in Guyana. Stay tuned for more updates on our advancements in surgical care!
