Have you ever wondered what happens when blood travels through the blood vessels inside our bodies and a blood clot forms somewhere along the way? It can be a scary and emergency situation. The surgical removal of such a potentially life-threatening blood clot is called an embolectomy. Today, we will talk about this in a simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Embolectomy?
Embolectomy is the procedure to remove a blood clot that is stuck inside a blood vessel and is obstructing normal blood flow. It is sometimes called thrombectomy. Both names mean the same thing, which is to remove the blood clot.
There can be two types of these blood clots:
1. Embolus: Imagine a blood clot that forms in a place like your leg, breaks away from there, travels with the blood, and gets stuck somewhere else, like your lungs. That's what we call an embolus , a blood clot that breaks away from where it formed and gets stuck somewhere else.
2. Thrombus: This type of blood clot forms and causes problems in the same place. That means it doesn't break free and goes nowhere, it stays stuck where it formed. We call this a Thrombus .
Normally, blood clotting is essential to stop bleeding when we get injured. But sometimes, for no apparent reason, blood clots start forming in places in the body where they shouldn't. That's when doctors have to remove the clot.
Who needs this surgery?
Embolectomy is usually only recommended for a serious condition. For example, a blood clot in a deep vein in the leg is called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) . If the clot breaks loose and lodges in the lungs, it can cause a very dangerous condition called Pulmonary Embolism . If the condition cannot be controlled with medication, doctors resort to this surgery.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of blood clots:
- Heart disease: When the heart's function is irregular, there is a greater chance of blood clots forming.
- Obesity: Excess body weight also increases the risk of blood clots.
- Pregnancy: The risk of blood clots increases slightly during pregnancy due to hormonal and other changes in the body.
- Cancer: Some types of cancer and cancer treatments can cause blood clots.
- Certain blood clotting disorders: This risk is also higher in people with genetic blood clotting disorders.
Two methods of performing embolectomy surgery
Depending on the size of your blood clot and where it's located, doctors use two main methods to remove it. Let's take a closer look at these two methods.
| Method | How to do it (simple) |
|---|---|
| Catheter Embolectomy | This is a minor procedure. The skin on the neck or groin is numbed, a small incision is made, and a thin tube (catheter) is passed through it along the blood vessel to the site of the blood clot. This is done using a technique similar to an X-ray. The blood clot is then sucked out of the tube, like a vacuum cleaner. This procedure involves less incision, so healing is quicker. |
| Surgical Embolectomy | This is a major operation. This method is used especially if a large blood clot is stuck in the lungs or heart. Here, a median sternotomy is made in the middle of the chest, the heart and lungs are temporarily switched to a machine (Cardiopulmonary Bypass), and the surgeon opens the relevant blood vessel and manually removes the blood clot. |
Why resort to surgery? Can't it be done with medication?
Often, people with blood clots are first given blood-thinning medications. For example, anticoagulants (medicines that prevent blood clotting) or thrombolytics (medicines that dissolve existing blood clots). However, in some cases, this surgery is necessary. Such cases include:
- If you cannot take these blood thinners due to other medical conditions.
- If the blood clot does not dissolve despite the medication or your condition worsens.
- If the symptoms caused by the blood clot are very severe and require urgent treatment.
What happens after the surgery? And what are the risks?
After surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for a few days, possibly in the intensive care unit (ICU). Doctors will monitor you until your breathing and heart function return to normal. If you had open surgery, your recovery time will be slightly longer than if you had a catheter procedure.
Like every surgery, this one has some risks.
- Risks of the catheter method: Bleeding due to damage to the blood vessel, heart damage or arrhythmia, inability to completely remove the blood clot.
- Risks of open surgery: Excessive bleeding, rapid heartbeat (SVT - Supraventricular Tachycardia), heart failure, kidney failure, and infection.
Despite these risks, the most important thing to remember is that this surgery is performed only when absolutely necessary to save a life. Therefore, doctors make this decision after considering the pros and cons.
When to see a doctor after surgery
It is very important to take care of your body even after you go home. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should inform your doctor immediately . In severe cases, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Difficulty breathing
- The incision becomes oozing, red, or swollen (signs of infection)
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Excessive bleeding
Take-Home Message
- Embolectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a potentially life-threatening blood clot that is stuck in a blood vessel.
- This is done in two main ways: a small operation using a catheter (thin tube) and a larger operation using an open chest.
- Doctors recommend this surgery only in severe cases that cannot be controlled with medication.
- As with all surgeries, there are risks, but this may be necessary to save a life.
- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully after surgery. Seek medical advice immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms.
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