Novel use of a gastrointestinal stapler for diaphragm division during thoracoabdominal aortic exposure

A significant portion of the morbidity associated with a thoracoabdominal approach to the suprarenal aorta is due to postoperative pulmonary dysfunction. A contributing factor to this dysfunction is division of the diaphragm during surgical exposure and subsequent repair upon completion of the operation. In this brief technical report, we describe a novel technique using a gastrointestinal stapler to divide the diaphragm that is rapid, hemostatic, and aids with reapproximation at the completion of the case. This method of diaphragm division is quicker and less traumatic and has the potential to decrease the incidence of postoperative pulmonary dysfunction.