Reconstruction Of Visceral Arteries Research Articles

Reconstruction of renal and visceral arteries in thoracoabdominal aortic surgery

Reconstruction of renal and visceral arteries in thoracoabdominal aortic surgery

Outcomes of Arterial Conduits in Vascular Reconstruction After Oncologic Resection of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Malignancies

To determine early and midterm outcomes of various conduit types for visceral artery reconstruction after resection of locally advanced pancreatic malignancies. Retrospective review of all patients who underwent resection for pancreatic malignancy with visceral reconstruction using superficial femoral artery (SFA), great saphenous vein (GSV), splenic artery (SA), cryopreserved allograft, or prosthetic graft (PG) between 2000 and 2019. The SFA donor limbs were revascularized with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene interposition grafts. End points for visceral and donor limb arterial reconstructions are primary and secondary patency, vascular complications, and mortality. Visceral reconstruction for oncologic resection was performed in 57 patients. Reconstructed arteries included proper hepatic (n = 24), common hepatic (n = 17), superior mesenteric (n = 22), right hepatic (n = 5), and left hepatic (n = 2) with multivessel reconstructions performed in 13 patients. Of 57 visceral reconstructions, 30 were performed with autogenous SFA; 27 had no preoperative evidence of peripheral arterial disease. Median follow-up for all patients was 9 months. The 30-day visceral reconstruction complications included pseudoaneurysms in one SFA conduit (requiring gastroduodenal artery coiling and covered stent placement) and one GSV conduit (requiring covered stent placement), thrombosis in one PG conduit and one GSV conduit (both requiring open thrombectomy), and anastomotic bleed from one SA conduit (requiring operative repair). The 30-day SFA harvest donor limb complications included one hematoma, one lymphocele, and one symptomatic edema. Early mortality occurred in three patients including one SA conduit with multiorgan failure, one GSV conduit pseudoaneurysm rupture secondary to pancreatic leak and one SFA conduit of unknown cause. Midterm visceral reconstruction complications included pseudoaneurysm in 6 patients (3 SFA conduits with 2 treated, 3 GSV conduits with all treated), and graft occlusion in 10 patients (3 SFA, 4 GSV, 1 cryopreserved allograft and 2 PG). One patient underwent percutaneous angioplasty for high-grade stenosis of a SA graft. This gave a primary and secondary patency for all visceral arterial reconstructions of 81% and 84%, respectively. Midterm SFA donor limb patency was 100% with median follow-up of 8 months. Late mortality occurred in 19 patients (33%) with 11 cancer-related deaths and 5 of unknown cause or unrelated to the primary cancer. Three late mortalities occurred secondary to mycotic graft pseudoaneurysm ruptures in the setting of bile and pancreatic leaks (1 GSV, 1 PG secondary reconstruction in SFA conduit patient and 1 SFA conduit). This preliminary study suggests that superficial femoral artery can be considered feasible conduit in oncologic reconstructions with low morbidity of the donor limb. Long-term follow-up is needed to identify oncologic and patency-related outcomes.TablePrimary end points by conduit choiceConduitNo. of patientsPrimary patencySecondary patencyMajor early visceral graft complicationsAll-cause mortality, % (vascular-related, %)Median follow-up, months (range)Superficial femoral artery3090%90%n = 1 pseudoaneurysm30 (7)8 (2-39)Cryopreserved allograft988%88%n = 00 (0)4 (1-23)Great saphenous vein838%38%n = 2 (1 pseudoaneurysm, 1 thrombosis)75 (25)11 (0-25)Prosthetic graft667%83%n = 1 thrombosis67 (0)12 (1-107)Splenic artery450%50%n = 1 anastomotic bleed50 (0)26 (1-52) Open table in a new tab

R0 resection of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) involving major visceral arteries (T4 lesions) using arterial resections and reconstructions: short- and long-term outcomes

Introduction: Surgical management of LAPC invading visceral arteries remain controversial. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcomes of resection of LAPC encasing visceral arteries using arterial resection and reconstruction. Method: The data were collected prospectively in surgical patients with LAPC involving the celiac axis (CA) or superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The post-operative (PO-OS) and post-diagnosis (PD-OS) medium overall survival, and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated utilizing Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates. Results: From 12/2002 to 12/2017, 26 patients with LAPC (16 males and 10 females, median age 61.5 yrs (range: 49–87 yrs)) underwent pancreatic resection with concomitant resection and reconstruction of major visceral arteries in our institution. The arterial involvement included CA (n = 13), SMA (n = 11) and both CA and SMA (n = 2). Resections included Whipple resection) (n = 16), distal pancreatectomy (n = 5), and total pancreatectomy (n = 5). Management of the arterial involvement included: resection without reconstruction (n = 4), reconstruction of one (n = 13), two (n = 7), three (n = 1), and four (n = 1) visceral arteries. All arterial reconstructions were performed using autologous veins. R0 resection was accomplished in 22, R1 in 2, and R2 in 2 patient. Median hospital stay was 13 days. Thirty-day peri-operative mortality was 4%. Six patient did not receive chemotherapy. Twenty patients received neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemo- or chemo-radiation therapy outside protocols. For those patients, PD-OS was 21 months, PO-OS - 19 months and DFS - 15 months (Fig.1). Conclusions: R0 resection combined with arterial resection and reconstruction can be accomplished with improved survival of patients with LAPC.

An eight-branched aortic graft for reconstruction of visceral and intercostal arteries during extent II thoraco-abdominal aortic surgery.

Reconstruction of the visceral and intercostal arteries is the most challenging part in the open repair of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. For efficient and expeditious reconstruction of these branching vessels, a technique of using a pre-handsewn 8-branch aortic graft (octopod technique) has been adopted. The octopod graft was manually constructed using commercially available two 4-branch aortic grafts that were spatially oriented based on the preoperative computed tomographic images and connected each other prior to surgery. This approach was adopted in 12 open repairs of extent II thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms from 2015 to 2017, including 8 Marfan patients. Median pump and procedural times were 173 (102-207) min and 437 (343-489) min, respectively. There was no operative mortality or spinal cord injury. The octopod technique for open thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair showed excellent early results with high procedural efficiency.

Management of complications after reconstruction of mesenteric arteries

Because of the low ischemia tolerance of abdominal organs and the comorbidities of patients with abdominal ischemic syndromes, complications after the reconstruction of visceral arteries are often severe and associated with a significant mortality rate. The possible complications after interventions on the visceral arteries and their treatment are presented. Endovascular procedures have gained an increasingly important role in many primary interventions as well as in the treatment of complications.

252 * SPINAL CORD INJURY AFTER ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT FOR THORACO-ABDOMINAL ANEURYSM OR DISSECTION

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating complication of surgical repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm or dissection (TAAD), despite the complex reconstruction of inter-costal or lumbar arteries involved in the surgery. As an alternative technique, endovascular thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair (EVTAR) with visceral artery reconstruction has been accepted as a treatment option for severe comorbid patients of TAAD, because there is a permissible frequency of SCI after EVTAR in spite of no reconstruction of inter-costal or lumbar arteries. We report the results of EVTAR at our hospital with a focus on spinal cord injury. METHODS: We analyzed data from 54 consecutive patients with TAAD (mean age, 74 ± 9.6 years; 42 men) who underwent EVTAR at our hospital between February 2007 and February 2014. Three types of EVTAR technique were used: fenestrated and/or branched stent graft implantation in 39 patients, a hybrid technique (bypass grafts to visceral arteries and straight stent graft implantation) in 10 patients, and intentional coverage of the coeliac artery and straight stent graft implantation in 5 patients. In all patients, mean systemic blood pressure was maintained at ≥80 mmHg. Opioid use was avoided in the perioperative period. RESULTS: According to the Crawford classification, the graft coverage extent was 9% (5/54) in type I, 11% (6/54) in type II, 39% (21/54) in type III, 22%(12/54) in type IV and 19% (10/54) in type V. In most patients (74%, 40/54), cerebrospinal fluid drainage was done intraoperatively and 1 day postoperatively. Hospital mortality was 5.6% (3/54). No patient developed SCI in the perioperative period. However, in the follow-up period 2 patients developed paraplegia as a consequence of shock caused by an aortic event. CONCLUSIONS: With close attention to spinal cord protection, EVTAR may be associated with only a low incidence of SCI in the perioperative period. Therefore, EVTAR is expected to become a promising treatment option for appropriately selected patients with TAAD.

One-stage Hybrid Repair to Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Open repair of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study reviewed the midterm outcomes of hybrid TAAA repair in high-risk patients at our institution. The clinical data of patients undergoing 1-stage hybrid repair of a TAAA between June 2007 and June 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. This study represents our experience with 10 patients at a single center who underwent 1-stage visceral hybrid procedures for complex thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies. There were 9 men and 1 woman with a median age of 65.7years. The average preoperative European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 34.1%. The technical success rate with completion was 100%. No procedure was abandoned because of any aortic event. The 30-day mortality rate in this study was 10%. Overall major perioperative complication rates were 20%. Major complications included renal impairment requiring permanent support in 1 patient (10%) and paraplegia in 1 patient (10%). At a median follow-up of 20.1months (range, 0.3-39months), the overall survival rate was 70%. The primary graft patency rate was 96.8% (32/33). Only 1 renal artery graft was occluded. The midterm results in selected high-risk patients with TAAA undergoing 1-stage hybrid repair were encouraging. When open repair is hazardous and branched stent grafting is not an option, hybrid repair is a viable treatment alternative. However, larger study cohorts and longer durations of follow-up are necessary to provide data on the durability of aortic stent grafts and visceral artery reconstruction.

The feasibility of R0 resection of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) encasing major visceral arteries (T4 lesions) using arterial resection and reconstruction: Short- and long-term outcomes.

243 Background: LAPC is found in about 40% of patients with pancreatic cancer at initial presentation. Tumors involving major visceral arteries are commonly deemed unresectable. In this study we analyzed the feasibility of R0 resection of LAPC encasing major visceral arteries using arterial resection and reconstruction. Methods: The following data were collected prospectively following pancreatic resection with vascular reconstruction in patients with LAPC: age, gender, operative details, post-operative complications, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and overall and disease free survival. Patient survival was calculated utilizing Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates. Results: From Dec., 2002 to Sep., 2012, 12 patients with LAPC (8 males and 4 females, median age 58.5 yrs (range: 51–78 yrs)) underwent pancreatic resection with concomitant resection and reconstruction of major visceral arteries in our institution. The arterial involvement included celiac artery (n=8), and superior mesenteric artery (n=4). Resections included pancreatico-duodenectomy (n=8), distal pancreatectomy (n=3), and total pancreatectomy (n=1). Management of the arterial involvement included: resection of celiac axis without reconstruction (n=2), resection and reconstruction of one artery (n=6), two arteries (n=3) and three arteries (n=1). R0 resection was accomplished in 9, R1 in 2, and R2 in 1 patient. One patient (8%) died peri-operatively from pulmonary thromboembolism. Chemo- or chemo-radiation therapy was not protocolized. To date, 5 patients are alive and disease free at 7, 9, 11, 23 and 117 months, and 1 patient is alive with recurrence at 107 months. Six-month patient survival was 75% and median overall survival (MOS) was 19 months. Conclusions: The MOS in this patient population with systemic therapy is around 9 months. Although the sample size in our study is limited, observed MOS of 19 months is encouraging and provides the opportunity to reconsider the contraindications to surgical management of such patients with T4 LAPC. Timing of perioperative chemotherapy will be evaluated in a prospective trial.

異型大動脈縮窄症に対する腹部分枝動脈再建を要した上行大動脈-腹部大動脈バイパス術の1例

異型大動脈縮窄症に対する腹部分枝動脈再建を要した上行大動脈-腹部大動脈バイパス術の1例

R0 resection of locally advanced pancreatic cancer encasing major visceral arteries using arterial reconstruction: Short- and long-term results.

e14679 Background: Locally advanced disease is found in about 40% of patients with pancreatic cancer at initial presentation. Tumors involving major visceral arteries are commonly deemed unresectable. In this study we analyzed the feasibility of R0 resection of locally advanced pancreatic cancer encasing major visceral arteries using arterial reconstruction. Methods: The following data were collected: age, gender, operative details, post-operative complications, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and overall and disease free survival. Patient survival was calculated utilizing Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates. Results: From Dec., 2002 to Jan., 2012, 13 patients underwent pancreatic resection with concomitant resection and reconstruction of major visceral arteries for pancreatic cancer (9 males and 4 females, median age 63 yrs (range: 50–82 yrs)). The arterial involvement included celiac artery (n=6), superior mesenteric artery (n=4) and hepatic artery (n=3). Resections included pancreatico-duodenectomy (n=9), distal pancreatectomy (n=3), and total pancreatectomy (n=1). Management of the arterial involvement included: resection of celiac axis without reconstruction (n=2), reconstruction of one artery (n=6), two arteries (n=4) and three arteries (n=1). Nine of the 13 patients underwent simultaneous venous reconstruction. R0 resection was accomplished in 11, R1 in 1, and R2 in 1 patient. Ten of the 13 patients received neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemo- or chemo-radiation therapy outside protocols. To date, 4 patients are alive and disease free at 1, 4, 15 and 111 months, and 1 patient is alive with recurrence at 100 months. Six-month patient survival was 65% and median overall survival was 17 months. The probability of 5-year survival was 22%. Conclusions: Our study indicates that in select patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with involvement of major visceral arteries R0 resection is feasible by performing pancreatic resection with arterial reconstruction. The survival data in this group of patients are encouraging and provide the opportunity to reconsider the contraindications to surgical management of such patients.

Preliminary Retrograde Visceral Artery Reconstruction for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms

The recent availability of thoracic endografts has expanded the options for treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic pathology. However, disease that involves the visceral aortic segment presents a special challenge due to the need to preserve mesenteric perfusion. We present three patients in whom preliminary retrograde visceral artery reconstruction was used as an adjunct prior to endovascular repair.

Chronic Visceral Artery Obstruction Associated with Hypoplastic Aorta in a Pair of Monozygotic Twins

We report a case of chronic visceral artery obstruction associated with a hypoplastic aorta in a pair of monozygotic twins. They had suffered from abdominal angina and intermittent claudication. The younger twin underwent simultaneous visceral artery reconstruction and right common iliac-femoral artery bypass at age 30. The older twin underwent a visceral artery reconstruction at age 34, 4 years after bilateral common iliac-femoral artery bypass. We used a temporary shunt in order to ensure perfusion for the visceral organs, because there was a rich collateral circulation to visceral organs from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and the internal iliac arteries.

Reconstruction of visceral arteries with homografts in excision of the pancreas

At present, surgical treatment with R(0) resection offers the only chance of cure for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. Carcinomas of the pancreas are frequently diagnosed at an inoperable stage because of local tumor progression by vessel wall infiltration. In a small series of patients, efforts have been made to increase curative resection rates for advanced pancreatic cancer by excision and reconstruction of the involved visceral arteries. Whether this provides clinical benefit remains uncertain. Since 2001 we have been employing "en bloc" tumor resection for advanced pancreatic carcinomas with extended infiltration of visceral vessels. Technical experience was gained previously by performing portal vein resection as well as arterial excision and reconstruction by direct anastomosis in the presence of malignant wall infiltration. A total of ten patients underwent vascular reconstruction by arterial homograft interposition. In six of ten cases, combined extended reconstructions of the hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries were performed. One patient died during the perioperative course due to fulminant bleeding. One patient developed severe diarrhea. During a 3- to 18-month follow-up, one case of liver metastasis and one case of local tumor recurrence were documented. In selective cases, operability and R(0) resection can be achieved in advanced pancreatic cancer by performing extended resection procedures with vascular reconstruction using arterial homografts. Vascular substitution of visceral arteries can be conducted without ischemic disturbances of the small bowel and liver. Only a few perioperative complications were observed.

Very Late Survival after Vascular Surgery

Purpose. The aim of this study was to define very late survival in veterans who routinely underwent preoperative assessment of left ventricular function using radionuclide ventriculography (RNVG) before elective major vascular surgery from 7/84 to 7/88 at one Veterans Affairs Medical Center.Methods. RNVG defined left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and determined the presence of ventricular wall motion abnormalities. Patients undergoing elective vascular surgery (n = 310) who had preoperative RNVG were then followed over the years using direct contact, VA administrative databases, and, most recently, the Social Security Death Index.Results. Follow-up was 6.64 ± 4.62 years (range 0 to 16.2 years). Current survival is 10% (11/107) after carotid surgery, 12% (10/82) after aortic aneurysm repair, 15% (17/111) after extremity reconstruction, and 0% (0/10) after visceral artery reconstruction (ns). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the different types of vascular surgery at 30 days or at 1, 5, and 10 years after surgery (ns). Actual survival rates at 5 years after carotid surgery, aneurysm repair, extremity reconstruction, and visceral reconstruction were 55, 61, 59, and 50%, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed which included preoperatively defined cardiovascular risk factors, type of surgery, and results of RNVG. The final regression model indicated that age, diabetes, smoking at the time of surgery, and low EF were independently associated with overall mortality while angina, prior myocardial infarction (MI), and type of operation were not. Mean survival duration with normal EF (>50%) was 7.99 years versus 4.78 years with low EF (P < 0.001). No patient with severe left ventricular dysfunction (EF ≤ 35%; n = 39) or who had postoperative cardiac complications (MI, CHF, ventricular arrhythmia; n = 38) survived to the present.Conclusions. Very late survival after major vascular surgery was related to the presence of diabetes, active smoking at the time of surgery, left ventricular function, and postoperative cardiac complications. Since there was no association of overall mortality with angina or prior MI, an aggressive approach to coronary evaluation in such patients might not alter very late survival.

Alternate venous drainage and return of warmed blood combined with continuous hypothermic visceral perfusion. A new adjunct of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

As a new adjunct to surgical repair for a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, we have devised and used visceral perfusion in combination with alternate venous drainage and return of warmed blood in 4 patients. Surgical repair of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm of Crawford type III (n = 1) or type IV (n = 3) was performed. During visceral branch reconstruction, hypothermic blood (30-32 degrees C) was perfused continuously to each visceral and renal artery at a total flow rate of 300 ml/min, in combination with alternate venous drainage and return of warmed blood to the inferior vena cava. The visceral and renal perfusion time was 115 +/- 55 (with a range from 52 to 190) minutes. All 4 patients recovered uneventfully. Alternate venous drainage and return of warmed blood combined with continuous hypothermic visceral perfusion were a useful adjunct to thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair during reconstruction of visceral and renal arteries.

Laparoscopic-assisted abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy

Purpose: The technical elements and early results of laparoscopic-assisted abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy are described. Methods: From February 1997 to May 1999, 60 patients underwent elective laparoscopic surgery for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients ranged in age from 53 to 87 years (mean age, 70.6 years). The mean aneurysm size was 5.7 cm (range, 4.4-8.0 cm). All patients underwent aortography and computed tomography scanning preoperatively. Patients were not deemed candidates for the procedure when visceral arterial abnormalities requiring surgical treatment were present or an aortic aneurysm neck shorter than 0.5 cm was found. A risk-stratification system was used as a means of quantitating risk factors and excluding high-risk patients. Aortic reconstruction was performed with retroperitoneal laparoscopy, with the patient in a modified right lateral decubitus position. An Endo TA 30 and an Endo TA 60 laparoscopic staplers (US Surgical, Norwalk, Conn) were used in occluding the common iliac arteries and aneurysm sac. Laparoscopic hemoclips were used as a means of occluding the lumbar arteries and other branches of the aneurysm sac. An aortobifemoral or aortobi-iliac bypass grafting procedure was performed by means of the laparoscope to position the graft and visualize the end-to-end aorta-to-graft anastomosis, with distal anastomoses performed through counter incisions. Results: Three patients died within 30 days of surgery (mortality rate, 5.0%). Complications included left ureteral injury (1), postoperative myocardial infarction (1), ileofemoral deep venous thrombosis (1), acute renal failure (2), colon ischemia (1), and infected graft limb requiring revision (1). The mean operative time was 7.7 hours, and the mean aortic cross-clamping time was 112 minutes. Compared with a contemporary consecutive series of 100 patients undergoing open transabdominal or retroperitoneal aneurysmectomy performed by the same group of surgeons, the laparoscopic patients had decreased length of stays in the intensive care unit and the hospital, with less need for ventilator support, earlier resumption of a regular diet, and an earlier return to normal activity. At the follow-up examinations, all bypass grafts were patent. Conclusion: Laparoscopic-assisted aneurysmectomy is safe and effective and can be performed with good results. The longer operation time required is well tolerated in patients who are at good and moderate risk. Prior training in laparoscopic aortic surgery is necessary for surgeons to obtain the required level of expertise needed to perform these procedures. With these caveats, the results of our study suggest that laparoscopic-assisted aortic aneurysmectomy is appropriate for moderate-to-good risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists class of III or lower) operative candidates meeting standard criteria for aneurysm resection in whom preoperative computed tomography scan and biplane arteriography demonstrate a proximal aneurysm neck of 0.5 cm or larger and no need for visceral or internal iliac artery reconstruction. A randomized trial would be required to confirm the benefits of this procedure over open aneurysmectomy. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:224-33.)

Leaking thoraco‐abdominal aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a congenital disorder of the connective tissue involving the ocular, skeletal and cardiovascular systems. Cardiovascular complications account mainly for the reduced life expectancy of patients with Marfan syndrome. Thoracic aortic aneurysms usually occur as a result of proximal aortic dissection but aneurysms of the descending aorta are infrequent. We report on a patient with rupture of an extensive thoraco‐abdominal aortic aneurysm (Crawford type III) with a concomitant chronic thoracic aortic dissection (Stanford type A), treated successfully with aneurysmectomy and visceral artery reconstruction. Subsequent surgical intervention for the concomitant chronic thoracic aortic dissection was also performed. The importance of life‐long surveillance of the cardiovascular system is highlighted.

Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms located close to the visceral arteries: Report of three cases

The standard surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is in situ replacement of the infrarenal aorta, which is associated with a low mortality rate. On the other hand, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAA) remain a formidable challenge and the complications that can occur may be severe including neurologic dysfunction and renal failure. We report herein three cases of patients with AAA located very close to the visceral arteries, for which in situ replacement of the infrarenal aorta was not feasible due to severe inflammation and adhesion. Therefore, aortic stump closure and in situ bypass grafting was performed to avoid reconstruction of the visceral arteries. No major complications or operation-related deaths occurred. Thus, while in situ replacement is usually recommended over bypass grafting for patients whose aneurysms are located very close to the visceral arteries, aortic stump closure and in situ bypass grafting should be considered as a more effective surgical option.

Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Sequential Visceral Perfusion: A Technical Note

The aim of this study was to develop a method for type III and type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair that reduces ischemia time to the abdominal viscera, spinal cord, and lower extremities. Over a 25-month period, five type IV TAAs and three type III TAAs were repaired with a trifurcated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft to bypass three of four visceral vessels and another graft to reconstruct the thoracoabdominal aorta. The trifurcated graft was sewn end-to-side to an unaffected area of descending thoracic aorta. Sequential end-to-end bypasses to the left renal, superior mesenteric, and celiac arteries followed this anastomosis. The remaining TAA was then replaced with a Dacron tube or bifurcated graft by clamping distal to the trifurcated graft so as to maintain visceral and left renal artery perfusion. Implantation of the right renal artery into the Dacron graft completed visceral artery reconstruction. The postoperative results indicate the feasibility of type III and IV TAA repair using tangential thoracic aortic clamping, individual aortic branch vessel reconstruction, and separate distal revascularization. This operative technique decreases ischemia time to the abdominal viscera, spinal cord, and lower extremities.

Surgical technical guidelines in intestinal ischemia

Acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia is caused by a local impairment of splanchnic blood flow and poses a particular surgical challenge. Acute superior mesenteric occlusion is a medical/surgical emergency mandating prompt diagnosis (clinical awareness, angiography) and therapy (exploratory laparotomy with possible arterial reconstruction; embolectomy, thrombectomy; and/or bowel resection). The difficulty of early diagnosis is probably the most important cause of the high mortality which varies from 70% to 90% in arterial and functional mesenteric ischemia and from 20% to 70% in an acute thrombosis of the mesenteric veins. Improved survival from nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is dependent upon the identification of high-risk groups and on aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic measures (intra-arterial infusion of papaverine through the angiographic catheter with or without bowel resection). For assessment of bowel viability, the clinical judgement during first- or second-look exploration is still the most reliable parameter. The surgical management of chronic mesenteric ischemia includes aortomesenteric grafting and transaortic endarterectomy in the majority of patients with comorbidity of cardiovascular arteriosclerotic diseases and results in a high rate of symptom-free patients. Prophylactic reconstruction of visceral arteries is indicated only in certain limited circumstances.