title: Rib-cross thoracotomy for replacement of the thoracoabdominal or total descending aorta.
abstract: We describe the use of rib-cross thoracotomy and costal coaptation pins made with bioabsorbable poly-L-lactide for rib approximation. This thoracotomy provided an excellent intraoperative exposure of the entire descending aorta and thoracoabdominal aorta in patients with extended thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm without increase in postoperative morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular, Thoracic, and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsukube
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Ritsu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matsukawa
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hino
authors.forename: Hirohisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Yujiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawanishi
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okita
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)