My husband was approved for a stent graft operation in March of 2000. We were very excited about this because we did not want the conventional operation.The Dr. told me the operation would take about 2 hours. After 4 hours I was told there were complications. After 7 hours the doctor came out and explained to us that my husbands illiac artery had ripped and that he had lost a lot of blood but would be ok. He would just require a longer hospital stay.
I was not allowed to see him until he was taken to intensive care where I was told that the operation had caused him to become paralyzed from the breast down. This was 10 hours after the operation. He stayed in the hospital 1 and a half months and was then transferred to a rehabilitation hospital.
He was there for 2 months and sent home because our medical insurance would no longer pay. He was home one week and back in the hospital where he died of sepsis from a urinary tract infection that the rehabilitation hospital did not catch. We now are suing just about everyone but it will not bring him back.
We were never told of this complication. I would not want any one to go through what I have. He was my life and I miss him terribly. Please be aware of this and speak to your doctor if you are thinking about having this kind of an operation.
I would be glad to communicate with anyone who would like to know more.