Commentary: Sometimes, the Bench Players Are Your Most Valuable Players

Abstract

Ascending aorta slide is safe and effective way to provide tension-free native tissue interrupted arch repair. As standard repair is feasible in majority of cases, its use should be very selective. Ascending Aortic Slide for Interrupted Aortic Arch RepairOperative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryVol. 26Issue 3PreviewInterrupted aortic arch (IAA) often presents with a wide gap between the proximal and distal portions of the arch which challenge a tension-free anastomosis, potentially increasing the risk for residual or recurrent arch obstruction, and left main bronchial compression. When possible, to preserve potential for growth of the repair, native tissue-to-tissue reconstruction is always preferred. Accordingly, rather than forcing a direct anastomosis with native tissue under tension or needing an interposition graft, the ascending aortic slide is an alternative useful technique to repair interrupted aortic arch in neonates and infants with difficult anatomy. Full-Text PDF