Shunting of the coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our experience with shunting of the coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Eight patients undergoing resection and graft replacement of Crawford type III (5) and type IV (3) thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were included in this series. One patient had rupture, four were symptomatic and three were operated on electively.


METHODS
A vascular graft with a sidearm was applied for the reconstructions. A T-shunt was connected to the sidearm. Following completion of the proximal anastomosis the shunt was inserted into the coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries. The anastomoses to these arteries and the renal arteries were then completed. Finally the distal anastomosis was performed.


RESULTS
There was no early mortality (30 days). One patient had postoperative paraparesis, but recovered quite well. Reoperation became necessary due to sigmoid necrosis in one patient and due to haemorrhage in another. During the follow-up period four patients died but the other patients are alive between 3 and 8 years after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of shunting of the superior mesenteric and coeliac arteries during thoracoabdominal aortic surgery is feasible and the results have been acceptable. Further investigation of the optimal blood flow needed to avoid intestinal ischaemia in a larger series of patients is desirable.
Eide
T O
TO
Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway.
Myhre
H O
HO
Saether
O D
OD
Aadahl
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014781:Viscera / Q000098:blood supply