An approach to spinal cord protection during descending or thoracoabdominal aortic repairs.
BACKGROUND
During the past few years, after much research, progress has been made in reducing the risk of spinal cord injury after descending or thoracoabdominal aortic repairs.


METHODS
Based on that research I describe a method to reduce the risk of spinal cord injury.


RESULTS
Our data show that with this technique, less than 5% of our patients had a permanent injury whereby they are unable to walk.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of intrathecal papaverine, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, hypothermia, and reimplantation of intercostal arteries from below T6 to and including L1 are recommended.
Svensson
L G
LG
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Lahey Hitchcock Clinic, Burlington, Massachusetts 01805, USA.
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D007511:Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010208:Papaverine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010208:Papaverine