[Surgical treatment of De Bakey type III aortic dissection].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the experience in surgical treatment of De Bakey type III aortic dissection and discuss the operative indications, techniques, and methods for spinal cord protection.


METHODS
From January 1994 to January 2000, 49 patients with De Bakey type III aortic dissection were operated on. Of these patients, 35 were subjected to partial thoratical aorta replacement, 4 partial thoratical aorta replacement and plasty, 8 total thoratical aorta replacement, and 2 thoracoabdominal aorta replacement. In the 35 patients, the operations were performed by using the technique which preserved blood was transfused back by pump via the femoral artery.


RESULTS
Hospital mortality in this group was 6.1% (3/49). Eight patients received emergence operation, and 1 patient died. Paraparesis developed in one patient (2.0%). Other complications included re-exploration for bleeding in 3 patients, and wound infection in 5.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of mortality and complication is high in patients with De Bakey type III aortic dissection. Appropriate operative techniques and methods of spinal cord protection are essential to resolve this problem.
Chang
Qian
Q
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China.
Sun
Lizhong
L
Zhu
Junming
J
Qian
Xiangyang
X
Zheng
Jun
J
Feng
Jun
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*