[Recent surgical treatment for patients with true aortic arch aneurysm]

From december 1996 to april 1999, 25 patients with true aortic arch aneurysm underwent aortic arch aneurysm repair using selective cerebral perfusion. There were 17 males and 8 females ranging in age from 62 to 79 years (mean 71 years). Orikaesi method was used in the procedure of distal anastomosis for complete aortic arch replacement with a prosthetic graft. This technique allowed us a simple approach to the lesion and the easy additional stitch. The average duration of extracorporeal circulation, aortic crossclamping, selective cerebral perfusion were 269 minutes, 140 minutes, and 122 minutes, respectively, under 19.3 degrees C of lowest esophageal temperature. There were no cases complicated with postoperative low output syndrome and cerebrovascular accident, and no hospital mortality. Replacement of the aortic arch using selective cerebral perfusion is a safe procedure with acceptable hospital mortality.