title: Less-invasive thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.
abstract: To minimize surgical trauma, we performed graft replacement of a descending aortic aneurysm through a minithoracotomy (12 cm) with the use of thoracoscopy and special vascular clamps. Contrast magnetic resonance angiography can be useful for preventing postoperative paraplegia by revealing the Adamkiewicz artery. The patient was satisfied with the postoperative comfort and good cosmetic result. Further refinement of the technique and instrumentation would make this technique a valuable adjunct to conventional thoracic aortic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Japan. atsfukada@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Johji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fukada
authors.forename: Kiyofumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morishita
authors.forename: Nobuyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawaharada
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Tomio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*