title: New approach for extended thoracic aortic repair: anterolateral thoracotomy with partial sternotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have introduced a new surgical approach for extended thoracic aortic repair, anterolateral thoracotomy with partial sternotomy (ALPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The surgical approach to the chest was made via left anterolateral thoracotomy and lower median sternotomy through the third or fourth intercostal space. All cannulations (arterial, venous, venting, and cardioplegia) could be easily performed using a retractor in this approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From November 2005 to December 2010, we performed surgical treatment in 12 patients by employing the ALPS approach for a complex, extended thoracic aortic diseases with different pathologies, i.e., arteriosclerotic aneurysms in 5, acute type B dissection in 5, and chronic type B dissection in 2 patients. One patient died in the hospital, and 1 had temporary spinal cord injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALPS approach might become an alternative for a complex, extended thoracic aortic replacement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. uchidacv@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naomichi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Miwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sutoh
authors.forename: Sutoh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miwa
authors.forename: Masatsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuraoka
authors.forename: Kuraoka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masatsugu
authors.forename: Taijiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sueda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome