[Vascular rings]

Anomalies in the development of aortic arches may cause the formation of a vascular ring around trachea and esophagus, responsible for compression symptoms. The most frequently found vascular rings are the double aortic arch, the right arch with left ligament and the retroesophageal right subclavian artery. The diagnosis is established by means of contrast esophagogram. Surgery is usually done through a left posterolateral thoracotomy to dissect widely the retroesophageal area, after liberating the obstruction by section of a secondary vessel. Three cases are reported to illustrate the most frequent types of vascular rings and their management.