Dr. Jon Matsumura says this type of aneurism, in the lower part of the abdomen is very serious. In fact - it's called the "Silent Killer."

They performed the surgery October 25th when Louis Cernicka came to the hospital, experiencing pains.

Doctors found his aorta ruptured. They decided giving local anesthetic, rather than putting him to sleep, would be safer, because Louis was still getting over pneumonia.

"We know that half of all patients dont survive long enough to get to the emergency room and of those that do get to ER we can save more than half of them and those numbers seem to be increasing each year," said Dr. Jon Matsumura, UW Health Surgeon.

"From now on if I had pains like that I'll be at the hospital quick it was just unbearable I would just go right away if you have a feeling like that," said patient Louis Cernicka.

Dr. Matsumura says they hope to perform more aneurisms with local anesthesia, rather than giving the patient a large incision. The doctor adds that elderly men who have had a history of smoking. Women with a family history of aneurisms are more likely to have an aneurism. He suggests they get an ultra sound for preventative care.