[Elective visceral hybrid repair of type III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm]

According to the classification given by Crawford et al. type III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is dilatation of the aorta from the level of the rib 6 to the separation of the aorta below the renal arteries, capturing all the visceral branch of aorta. Visceral hybrid reconstruction of TAAA is a procedure developed in recent years in the world, which involves a combination of conventional, open and endovascular aortic reconstruction surgery at the level of separation of the left subclavian artery to the level of visceral branches of aorta.

We presented a 75-years-old man, with elective visceral hybrid reconstruc tion of type III TAAA. Computerized scanning (CT) angiography of the patient showed type III TAAA with the maximum transverse diameter of aneurysm of 92 mm. Aneurysm started at the level of the sixth rib, and the end of the aneurysm was 1 cm distal to the level of renal arteries. Aneurysm compressed the esophagus, causing the patient difficulty in swallowing act, especially solid food, and frequent back pain. From the other comorbidity, the patient had been treated for a long time, due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension. In general endotracheal anesthesia with epidural analgesia, the patient underwent visceral hybrid reconstruction of TAAA, which combines classic, open vascular surgery and endovascular procedures. Classic vascular surgery is visceral reconstruction using by-pass procedure from the distal, normal aorta to all visceral branches: celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and both renal arteries, with ligature of all arteries very close to the aorta. After that, by synchronous endovascular technique a complete aneurysmal exclusion of thoracoabdominal aneurysm with thoracic stent-graft was performed. The postoperative course was conducted properly and the patient left the Clinic for Vascular Surgery on postoperative day 21. Control CT, performed 3 months after the surgery showed that the patient's vascular status was uneventful with functional visceral by-pass and with good position of a stent-graft without a significant endoleak.

Visceral hybrid reconstruction represents a complementary surgical technique to that with open reconstruction of TAAA. This approach is far less traumatic to a patient, and is especially important in patients with lot of comorbidities, because there is no need for thoracotomy, and ischemic-reperfusion injury of the body is reduced to a minimum.