How to Do It: Proximal Elephant Trunk Insertion Technique for Preventing Stroke during Replacement of the Descending Aorta through a Left Thoracotomy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1532/HSF98.20111024Abstract
To reduce the risk of stroke during open surgery for the treatment of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic diseases, we attempted to insert a proximal elephant trunk to stabilize the atherosclerosis at the site of the proximal anastomosis. Although the patients had dense atherosclerotic lesions, they recovered well without neurologic complications. This technique is simple and may be effective for preventing stroke when replacing the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta through a left thoracotomy.References
Coselli JS, Bozinovski J, Cheung C. 2008. Hypothermic circulatory arrest: safety and efficacy in the operative treatment of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Ann Thorac Surg 85:956-64.nGoldstein LJ, Davies RR, Rizzo JA 2001. Stroke in surgery of the thoracic aorta. Incidence, impact, etiology, and prevention. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 122:935-45.nJi S, Yang J, Ye X, Wang X. 2008. Brain protection by using innominate artery cannulation during aortic arch surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 86:1030-2.nNeri E, Massetti M, Barabesi L 2002. Extrathoracic cannulation of the left common carotid artery in thoracic aorta operations through a left thoracotomy. preliminary experience in 26 patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 123:901-10.n