Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: review and update of current strategies

Surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms remains a technically challenging operation that requires a multimodality approach to preventing ischemic complications. The purpose of this report is to update our experience and highlight our current clinical strategies.

Between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 2001, 1,773 patients underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The majority of these patients (1,153, 65%) required Crawford extent I or II repairs. Segmental intercostal or lumbar arteries were reattached in 1,082 patients (61%); left heart bypass was used in 686 patients (38.7%), and 173 patients (9.8%) had cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

The 30-day survival rate was 94.3% (1,672 patients). Postoperative complications included renal failure requiring hemodialysis in 105 patients (5.9%) and paraplegia or paraparesis in 79 patients (4.5%). Actuarial 5-year survival was 73.5% +/- 1.6%.

This clinical experience demonstrates that current technical strategies enable patients to undergo thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with excellent early survival and acceptable morbidity.