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Like father, like son: Surgeons share milestone in performing breakthrough surgery

On Mar 16, 2026, the hospital recently performed its first EVAR in a cardiac catheterization lab by a father-and-son team, Doctor Joseph Wassell Sr. and Doctor Joseph Wassell Jr.
This year, brand-new state-of-the-art equipment allowed the hospital to move EVAR into the catheterization lab, enabling an entirely percutaneous approach instead of open surgery.
Having trained together, the two vascular surgeons have performed several EVAR procedures and recently used new equipment in their cath lab this year.
Staffers called the moment notable, as they refer to the surgeons as 'Junior' and 'Senior', and Wasselle Sr. described it as the most incredible experience you can imagine.
EVAR in the cath lab positions the hospital to use stent-based EVAR in the aorta for abdominal aneurysms, reducing open surgery and expanding Orlando Health emergency and procedural services.

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