Novel single-stage operation and inflow source: for thoracic aortic aneurysm and limb ischemia

Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms sometimes also have peripheral vascular disease. In such cases, staged operations are usually performed in order to avoid additional morbidity. We have achieved good long-term outcomes in 2 patients with use of a single-stage surgical technique. Our novel procedure uses a pre-sewn side branch with a Dacron graft as the inflow source for the aortofemoral bypass during thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. As of 25 and 52 months' follow-up, these grafts were patent in our 2 patients. We believe that this procedure is a safe and easy single-stage operation that achieves favorable patency. To our knowledge, this is the first report to document the use of a pre-sewn perfusion branch of a Dacron graft as an inflow source for aortofemoral bypass.