However, procedures such as hip replacements - and oesophageal and aortic aneurysm surgery which is also to be reported on - are less simple to measure as success is determined to a large degree by a patient's experience.

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In 2011, Ironman winner Normann Stadler underwent emergency surgery to repair an enormous aortic aneurysm, a condition not caused but very possibly aggravated by endurance athletics.

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Ramone, who lived in Wilton, Connecticut, had elective surgery on Feb. 27 to prevent an aortic aneurysm, son Matt Ramone said.

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